He whispered in an ear, “We need the slimy toad to return Frell and Drang, then you can turn him into cubes for all I care.”
Her breathing had quietened and the shaking finished. The adrenalin was still surging through her body and was still more than ready to lynch the grey that seemed to smirk in front of her. And yet, she considered, it couldn’t really be smirking at her… could it? The thought of it possibly enjoying her bout of anger was just about enough to persuade her to finally rip its head off... until it returned to the desk control and began to punch in a set of orders. She hesitated, waiting to see what was about to happen.
Scott asked, “How the hell do we defrost them when they get here?”
Between watching what the grey was doing while trying to work out his actions regarding the delivery of two frozen bodies, it took her a moment or two for his words to register. She couldn’t help releasing a laugh. The frustration and the pent-up anger had found the release it needed. Scott’s words had hit the release spot as she found herself laughing loudly. Scott and Belinda could only look on, wondering if she had succumbed to pressure and blown a fuse herself. Phyllis carefully approached on tip toes; she didn’t wish to startle her. Why there should be laughter confused her.
“Belinda? Hi. It’s me.” Phyllis introduced herself, not knowing what kind of reaction she might receive. She hoped Belinda wouldn’t apply the same punishment she had just witnessed the grey receiving. She just didn’t know what to expect. Instead of the half-expected strangulation, Belinda turned and placed an arm across Phyllis’s shoulders.
There were more tears of laughter as she said, “Scott thinks Frell and Drang need defrosting.” She almost collapsed into another fit of laughter. Regaining her composure quicker than before. She added, to Phyllis with obvious joviality in her voice, “It sounds as if we’re going to cook them in a microwave oven.”
Phyllis finally understood her reasons for hilarity and laughed as well, although not quite so enthusiastically. Belinda had been ever so close to breaking down, hearing his joke had allowed her internal pressure to vent itself, bursting the dam of emotions and despair. Both her companions understood why she was laughing as much as she was, joining in to the merriment. The Grey stood motionless, looking bewildered with a blank expression while trying to hide the increasing level of contempt. He wondered how he might possibly have considered working and living with violent and unstable animals such as these instead of continuing to work with the higher level of intellect which the Empire stood for. He would rather die than work for these… animals!
“So,” said Scott after the laughter had faded. “If we are not going to cook them in a microwave, then how are we going to defrost them?”
Another few giggles were released from the ladies. “There is more to microwave radiation than you realise, Scott,” Belinda answered.
“Yes,” agreed Phyllis, “The application for radiation is much more numerous than any of your scientists have so far understood.”
Scott immediately saw the implications of their replies, wondering what magic and technological marvels had been carelessly overlooked. “Okay. Go on then, surprise me with just one… No! On second thoughts, make it two?”
The ladies looked at one another. Phyllis was first to speak. Microwave radiation can be used to make a traction beam.” Scott considered it within his mind, recalling the many episodes of Star Trek on his television set at home. Scott imagined the picture of an invisible beam with the ability to lift and move objects. He also recalled being lifted into the Grey ship on the moon.
“Eh… how the heck would that work then?” he asked while trying to formulate a scientific theory.
“By taking the radiation as separate strands and twisting them like a rope before containing the ends with powerful induction fields. The strength of the arm, as it becomes, is tantamount to one of the hardest and toughest metals in the universe.”
His imagination saw a twisted rope made of microwave energy, before wondering how it might actually grasp an item.
“Yeah, okay, I can accept what you say, but only because I know I can trust you.” Neither woman commented on his compliment, although both suspected he wanted a thank you from themselves for his trust in them. “But, and this is a big but. How can the arm take hold of an object?”
Again, Phyllis answered. “By using fluctuating magnetic claws and virtual clamps.”
“Which is easy to say,” he butted in with.
Belinda took her turn. “The radiation is strong enough to move almost anything and the magnetic flux is so powerful it can be used to bend metal should it be needed to.”
He rubbed his chin in concentration, eventually wiping a hand across his mouth. “How can you generate enough magnetism to do such a thing?” he asked mystified.
Belinda continued. “There are many things in space which you still do not know about, and will not for a very long time to come. However, there are more and more new discoveries being made each and every year by human scientists that give cause for concern to many species. And one of these has recently been identified, the one that concerns the strongest magnetic flux in the cosmos.”
“Which is?” he asked urging her to tell him, hoping she wouldn’t say she couldn’t.
“It is the collision of two neutron stars.”
He waited for a moment, thinking there was more to come, but there wasn’t. “And…?” he urged her.
She was aware there might be a danger in telling him such information, but decided he deserved to hear some more of the magic she knew. “The collision creates a strong magnetic force that can be utilised in many wondrous applications. By simulating the collision effect within localised apparatus, it allows the flux to be used as a claw and clamp on the end of a traction beam.”
“That’s… fan-flippin-tastic!” I hope I remember that piece of valuable info, he thought. “And what’s the other thing you can impress me with?” he asked.
Phyllis stepped forward, indicating she wished to answer him. “A force field,” she said.
“Yo! A force field like there is around your ships?” He almost yelped, startling the others, including the Grey who seemed to leap backwards by the loud retort. “I could really do with one of those on my motorcycle and car.”
“Mmm, yes, I suppose there would be some benefits,” she added while thinking of Earth’s inferior machines.
“Benefit? Damned right there would be! It would keep the other cars away, especially the dreaded Volvo and Volkswagen drivers, not forgetting the crappy weather that lashes down from time to time. Yes, I could certainly do with a force field around my bike and car.”
He seemed deep in thought as he imagined tearing across the rain drenched countryside while wearing a pair of denim jeans and t-shirt, observing disbelieving onlookers. Within his dynamic mind he could see the wet surface impossibly drying as the field pushed the water away.
“So how does that work then?” He finally managed to ask.
Phyllis explained. “Like the traction beam, the energy beam is twisted and combined to increase its energy strength, giving it absolute mass. But in this instance it is also stretched, like a flat sheet before being curved to follow the contours of the field generating vessel. This is done twice, one sheet overlying the other, almost like a double skin. And forming between the sheets is an even stronger magnetic field, an amazingly dense field of fluctuating flux that is so strong it repels almost everything that attempts to get through it. It is the microwave radiation that contains the flux, giving the field its shape, direction and limitations. It is all very simple once the physics have been worked out and implemented.”
He sniggered at the all very simple line, imagining a present day astronaut explaining the Space-Shuttle’s mechanics and aerodynamics to Wilbur and Orville Wright, with a similar closing line. “Oh yeah, sure. Absolutely easy for anyone to work out. Damned sure it is.” It’s always easy when you know the answers, he thought to himself.
Belind
a added, “Yes, you are quite correct, Scott. Everything is much easier when we know it all.”
“I’ve gotta get myself a couple of these gismos for the use of, that’s for sure. Biking will be so much more fun and cool.” He said it with a cunning grin and a wicked chuckle.
Phyllis looked confused. “The force-field does not force the temperature down to cool you, Scott. If anything, it allows the trapped atmosphere to warm, so it is quite the opposite of what you think.”
He saw the mistake he had made, and rather than own up to using incorrect language control he just nodded and said, “Right, yeah. Of course it does. I should have known better.”
Belinda added he couldn’t really have known, but might have guessed. He nodded, choosing not to follow-up the correction. The Grey had continued to observe their interactions in silence, mystified to their purpose of communication while planning his next move and their ultimate capture.
“OK. OK. You win. There’s a lot more to microwave radiation than I or any other human on Earth knows about.” He waited for a moment, sucking in air through his teeth as he seemed to think of something else to ask while on the subject.
He looked up. “So, how do we defrost them without harming or cooking them?”
The ladies almost smiled again, but understood how serious his question was.
Belinda said, “The radiation is applied in several wavelengths, quite a few actually.”
“Yes, that is absolutely correct,” agreed Phyllis, taking over the explanation. “The radiation thaws individual body components at different rates, all at the same instant. For instance, if the blood was returned to its liquid form before the heart was able to pump it, it might coagulate into life-threatening clots.”
Scott could imagine the full extent of her implications, nodding his understanding.
She continued. “The heart and other vital organs, including the brain, need to become active at exactly the same moment, otherwise disaster would strike.”
He nodded.
“As the temperature rises within and around the body, the tissue is massaged by the energy waves, easing the various body parts back into a functional status. The metabolic and nervous systems are jolted into life by the same energy, electrifying the dielectric potential between and across neurons and synapses. The entire body almost jumps as it is brought back to life.”
Scott had understood everything he had heard, but it sounded as if Frell was dead and required resurrection. “So, again, how the hell can we hear her calling my name if she was dead?”
“Ah,” said Phyllis, wondering why he had been wearing a puzzled expression as she had explained Frell’s recovery in detail. “Once again, her mind had been active when the Grey machine had frozen her, her calling your name had been deliberate on her part as she had obviously understood the process as I have described it. She would have known her thoughts at the time would continue as long as her body was embedded in ice. Her mind is a strong one and her subconscious message would continue unabated. The machinery that controls her captivity would pick up the signal and carry it across to the communications program. Her body is constantly monitored, with any little energy waves received and amplified, which is why she was able to call out to you. I hope that makes sense, even though I have greatly simplified the processes involved.”
“I… I think I’ve followed you, although it all sounds very complicated. It still sounds like getting a message from beyond the grave though.”
Phyllis wanted to tell him there is something in what he says, that getting messages from those who have departed does happen, and for very similar reasons. However, she didn’t wish to get into the conversation of communicating with the deceased. The psychic woman on Earth was one of those who were gifted enough for that sort of communication, which is why the Greys attempted to use her, she knew.
“OK. So how is it all proceeding?” He wondered how soon he might be able to see his brilliant and amazing lover again.
Belinda checked the progress of both units. “They are at equal stages and are well through the process of recovery. It will take another hour though.”
“Phew,” he said. “That’s a long time considering the Grey rats know we are here.”
Belinda and Phyllis conferred with each other. The Greys were not rats! Then realised he was simply playing with words to describe his contempt for them. They correctly guessed he didn’t like rats either.
The Grey had stood motionless while the three had talked, watching and analysing each of the human apes as they chatted. He needed to contact his fellow beings to inform them of numbers and present situation. If he used telepathy they would know and his life would end without question or hesitation. There had to be another way, he understood. The man had sat down on the floor, leaning against a wall with his back. He was obviously feeling tired and drained from his experiences. The Grey recognised the same fatigue would be suffered by his companions. Their complexions were pale and drawn, with dark rings appearing around the eyes and worry lines across their foreheads.
Scott noticed the silence. “Why do we not hear Frell calling anymore?” he asked after realising her voice had gone from his mind.
“It is quite normal,” answered Phyllis. “Her calling you was a case of positive feedback locked within the monitoring system, that little amplified signal. She would have been deliberately calling you by telepathy and as often as she could while being frozen following her capture. The circuitry that controlled the cryogenic process would have received the mental message, logging it into its own operating system. Having fooled the system’s memory into believing the calling was a normal part of her brain pattern. The result was the message being periodically repeated, telepathically transmitted. To remove the call from its controlling system, the machine would require shutting down to be restarted. To do this would lose Frell’s biorhythm and neuronal memory, with possible death following soon after.” She shrugged her shoulders as she added, “It is my belief the Grey captors must have been driven half-mad by her continued message being sent to you.”
This made Scott smile with pleasure. He raised himself from the floor with renewed vigour and strode across to the silent Grey, bending forward and saying loudly, “I hope it really screwed you and your bald-headed pals madder than a fucking CJD cow!” The grey stood motionless as Scott’s face almost touched his with the threat of a raised voice pinging in his ears. While in reality, the grey would have wet himself if he had been able. His knees were already knocking as his legs wanted him to flee the scene as fast as his spindly legs could carry him. Scott stood there watching him, wanting to give him a good thumping to see if he would cry or at least plead for mercy. Both women saw his internal torment and carefully pulled him back. The little Grey still didn’t move or try to communicate. If Scott could have read his thoughts he would have known the sheer terror that was plaguing the mind of the little guy who outwardly appeared as cool as a cucumber.
Turning around, Scott sat down again, waiting patiently to see Frell again. Belinda turned back to the computer screen and typed a question. The grey motioned over to read it, answering straightaway, but only just before he understood the danger he had placed himself into by doing so.
“The system’s now automatic,” Belinda shouted. “The system will recover Frell and Drang with no more inputs required from anyone… especially that!” pointing at the Grey who appeared to shrink in fright before their eyes!”
They all perked up at the announcement, with Scott practically leaping to his feet. The grey had realised too late what he had done and began to telepathically announce the information his colleagues would want to know. The three heard his message, with each heading towards him like guided missiles. As quick as a flash, Belinda shouted, “Stop him, Scott!”
The revolver was no sooner out of its holster that two bullets spun their evil way through the outer soft flesh before his devious plan was completed. The grey-coloured flesh exploded as the others had, his body thrown backwa
rds by the force of penetrating bullets as lumps and syrupy-looking guts exploded outwards. Large and small pieces landed with a squelching sound, bouncing like pieces of rubber across the floor with foul smelling body fluids splattering in almost every conceivable direction. The ragged-edged lumps were almost pure white and for some strange and mysterious reason they reminded Scott of a chopped-up hard-boiled egg. He remembered eggs with glistening, melted butter before being dusted with ground black pepper and salt for taste. It was the kind of meal he had enjoyed with toasted bread as a child; only, he doubted he could eat what he was presently looking at.
An Alien Rescue Page 45