by TS Paul
Jeo thought to break it up. “Is everything OK here?”
Tina introduced her friends, “Hey, Jeo. This is Kris and Vanko from Charlie Class. They were just telling us about a crazy accident Bravo had down on the moon.”
Jeo winced. “Aliens again?”
All the kids laughed. “No, just stupidity. He may have learned his lesson this time.” Vanko had a deep, sonorous voice like Maxim.
“We need to start getting this loaded up. We’re burning daylight.” Jeo grabbed one of the floaters and pushed it toward the pod. Tina and the rest said their goodbyes to Kris and Vanko and grabbed the rest of the boxes. As they loaded, nifty little tie-down straps came out of the walls of the ship.
“This new pod is really neat,” Ron grunted as he stretched to lock the strap down. The inertial compensator should prevent any shifting, but this was supposed to be an ambassadorial ship. There were fail-safes on top of fail-safes in the pod.
“Nothing but the very best for our Queen. Go get your stuff and tell the others to put on their suits!” Peter told Ron as he climbed out of the pod.
Four of the five Alpha Class students still needed to put on spacesuits. Maxim already had his on.
“That isn’t fair you know,” Nestor commented as he pulled on the booties and locked them down.
“What isn’t?”
“That suit. You have it on already. How did you know?”
Maxim laughed. “They said we were taking a trip. Besides, you were standing right next to me when the Ds announced the spacesuit rule. We have to wear them anytime we step foot in any pod until they tell us otherwise. It’s our fault because of the moon. I think we scared them.”
“I know all that. What made you put it on early?” Nestor said.
Maxim blushed just a bit. “It’s hard to put on. I have to squeeze and pull so much it’s easier to do it here than in the field.” Maxim wiggled a bit to demonstrate.
“What happens if you have to use the bathroom?”
Maxim laughed. “I go in the suit, of course.”
“Eeew. That’s nasty!” Nestor replied.
Maxim tilted his head to one side. “Like you didn’t do that down on the Moon the last term? I don’t remember taking bathroom breaks while we fought those robots. The suits are designed for this, remember? We just have to change out the dust vial once every twenty-four hours.”
“I sort of remember that. But I’m going to hold my nose and call you stinky from now on.” Nestor pulled out his own suit and began slipping it on.
Maxim just sighed. Since he just reminded his cousin, he opened a small slot at the belt and removed an even smaller vial. Shaking it out over the sink, a fine dust fell out. There was a tiny Etheric energy elimination device inside the walls of the suit. All body waste was dissolved and dried out in the blink of an eye.
Simple.
Since he was already suited up, he casually looked around the room. The girls were ready as was Ron. Nestor was still jumping around trying to get his back to slide in properly. “Need some help?”
“I’ve got it.” Nestor jumped to the left and gave a little wiggle. Maxim laughed and stood behind him. When Nestor jumped so did he. Soon all the members of the class were jumping and wiggling.
“Is this some sort of preflight ritual?” Jeo stood watching the dancing class for just a moment.
“No. Sorry. We were just messing around.” Tina spoke up first.
“Are you all suited up and ready? Because it’s time to go! First stop is Paris. We have a radio tower to check out.”
Tina followed by the rest of the class trailed after Jeo over to the pod. Peter waved at them from the Black Eagle fighter as he climbed on board it.
The controlling EI was going to do all the flying for this one. Peter was proficient enough to fly the Black Eagle, but if it came to a fight, he would let the computer do it.
The pod and fighter lifted off and out of the construction bay. The kids were all strapped in with helmets resting in a specially designed pocket in front of them. This pod wasn’t set up for Jeo to unstrap but it did have a complete video and holo suite built in. He was able to focus the camera on him and project to each student individually. Screens folded down from the ceiling.
“Paris. City of art, culture, history, and architecture. This is a city that has continuously been in the same location since the 3rd century. History has walked through this city and has left its mark everywhere. While there are many architectural masterpieces in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is what matters to us the most. My brand of engineering is ship building and metallurgy. I like the science of metal and how it is applied to things.”
Jeo paused and stared off into space for a moment before he continued.
“Gustave Eiffel is the man who constructed the tower. It was the company that was founded and owned by him that conceived the idea to build a tower for the 1889 Universal Exposition. This is the same construction company that designed both the base and the support structure for the Statue of Liberty. Unlike other monuments of the time, it was to be made of metal, not rock or wood. An Engineering feat for the ages. The metal it is built from weighs 7,300 tons. Each time it is painted it takes sixty tons of paint to do it. They have done it nineteen times. Heavy metal indeed. For something this groundbreaking to have survived more than one hundred years is remarkable. Things like this were built to last.”
The EI broke into the lecture. “Sir, the pod will be at the destination in twelve seconds.”
Pressing a button, Jeo directed the outer cameras to show Paris in all its glory to his students. “I give you Paris and the Eiffel Tower.”
The kids all stared at what many call the ‘City of Lights.’ Buildings both touched the sky and the earth. All shapes and sizes in view were dominated by the metal structure in the center of the city. The pod took up station opposite the tip-top of the tower. “Radio and television stations use that portion of the tower. It was of course added to and upgraded to support newer technology.” Jeo pointed to the blocky shape with all the antenna sticking out.
Peter heard none of this. He was circling several hundred feet above them in his Black Eagle pod ever watchful.
“Sir. I am picking up signals from Villacoublay Air Base just outside of Paris. They are launching all available aircraft as well as three attack helicopters.” The EI’s voice sounded calm to Peter.
“Are they moving to intercept the pod?”
“Not at this time. Their instructions are to keep pace with the pod for now.”
“Notify me the instant those orders change,” Peter ordered the EI.
Villacoublay was only eight miles away, and two squadrons of Dassault Mirage 2000s made quite a racket when they buzzed the city. Jeo continued to talk, but even he couldn’t help noticing the groups of fighters.
“Peter, should I be worried?”
“Not yet. So far, they’re just watching us. I would try to hurry up that lecture you are conducting, though.” Peter was tracking all the planes.
“Sir, they are launching additional squadrons. ETA two minutes.”
Peter stared at the swirling fighters on his map. It would be pretty easy to try to force the pod down with that many planes. Speaking aloud to the EI he began giving orders. “EI. Take control of the pod and fly to rally point one. Use evasion pattern Beta.” He quickly pressed a button. “Jeo, hold on to your cheese.”
Jeo and Alpha class felt a slight vibration as the pod they were in shot sideways at a ninety-degree angle surprising the closing French fighters. The scenery outside was rushing by so fast it wasn’t being read by the cameras.
“EI. Please inform the Queen that France is still hostile to the Etheric Empire.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Sir, there was a pod sighting in Paris, France, just a short while ago.”
“Did your contact say where they went after that? We have to possess that technology! The speed of the pods alone would change our entire way of life!” General Vlákas paced b
ack and forth in the small reception area.
Lieutenant Buckley shook his head. “No, Sir. Our sensors can barely register that they are even there. This one was hovering over the Eiffel Tower and easy to see. Several squadrons of French Mirage 2000s were dispatched to force it down. They never even got close to it.”
“See that is one of the points I made with the President. Someone or something is tipping these people off! How do they even know that planes were en route?”
“It’s possible they can see them from space.” A new voice entered the conversation.
“Well, it’s about time someone took the time to see me!” The General shouted at the newcomer.
“Nice to meet you General. I’m Special Projects Director Kenneth Bigham. The last time you were here I was off base dealing with a small family issue. Nice to finally meet you.” He held out his hand.
General Vlákas took it and squeezed it. “I’m here about a comment made to me about those TQB pods. One of our scientists mentioned a gravitic drive and how they were making it work. Does that mean we already use that technology? And if we do why in the hell is it just sitting here?”
Kenneth mentally shook his head. He was torn between revealing all to the General or going forward with Majestic’s plan for him. Valuing his own life foremost, he would stick to the plan. “If you and your aide would come with me, I can show you a few things.”
“Son, I already had the tour the last time we were here. You better be showing me something new!”
Two minutes after meeting this man, Ken already wanted him gone. The aide at least kept a low profile. He led them through the main doors into the underground portion of the base. They stopped at the checkpoint.
“General if you and your aide would please deposit all electronics into the bin we can get started. This portion of the base is one of the most secure in the country, very similar to what the President has set up inside the Treasury building.” The Director paused in the doorway.
“How is it you know about that?” General Vlákas looked at him suspiciously.
“I was the person who advised both the NSA and the CIA to not allow electronics inside. You are correct in your thinking that someone is giving away our secrets. We believe it is an Artificial Intelligence.” Kenneth stopped at the counter and deposited his cell phone and tablet. He looked expectantly at the General.
Lieutenant Buckley placed his phone, tablet, and portable charger in the tub provided. He looked at the General.
Thinking he needed to get this over with, General Vlákas shook his head and complied. He placed the phone and tablet he used daily in the bin.
“Is that everything General?” Kenneth looked at both military men.
“Yes, yes. Let’s get this over with. We are both far too busy to pussy-foot around with trivial things.” If he had been paying attention at all, he might have noticed the brand-new smartwatch that his wife gave him was switched off. They rarely gave each other gifts, and he promised to never take it off. Most days, like today, he forgot he was even wearing it. He was used to checking the time on his phone or getting it from his aide.
Both military men passed through the security door without issue. The Director smiled. Everything was going to plan.
“Good. Now as you may know this base was established as a secure place to do research and development for spy planes, stealth projects, and aerodynamic wonders. What you may not know is we at one time did possess alien technology here. Is there a space ship here now? The answer is ‘no,' not anymore. President Eisenhower ordered it, and everything associated with it destroyed several months after being briefed on its existence.”
“Wait. The President ordered the destruction of something so valuable?” The General looked shocked.
“He did. This base, however, was not completely under his control as are most facilities. The advanced science division was, at that time, controlled by a very select group of Senators. The craft itself was destroyed to the best of our ability and according to top secret reports sunk in the Mariana Trench, one of the deepest parts of the ocean. The technology was preserved here.” Director Bigham opened up a door to a large room filled with strange mechanical devices.
“We call this the Buck Rogers’ room. Everything in here is a bit fantastic.” The Director walked the men up and down the rows of machinery. Each was set up on a pedestal with information about it.
“Why is this disk player here? Are you trying to trick me?” The General pointed to a small machine that looked very much like a DVD player.
“Where do you think the initial technology came from? One of our jobs is to use the tech in here to better American’s lives. That is only a small portion of what has been used. DVDs, electric cars, advanced computer electronics, flat screen TVs, LED lights, cell phone technology, the internet, thousands of things that we use in daily life come from this technology. It’s the larger stuff we can’t figure out that worries us.”
Lieutenant Buckley spoke up. “I thought LED technology was developed in the 1960s?”
“It was first used in 1962, but where do you think they got both the idea and the first working model from? We have been here since the 1940s.” The director led them to a section with larger pedestals.
“These are the more important and exceptional items. We have gotten only a few of these to work. That is why you are here General.” He pointed to an empty section.
“What am I not seeing?” General Vlákas looked at the director.
“That is where we had what we think is a gravimetric engine. Gravimetrics is one of the theories of what propels TQB’s pods. We are currently studying it trying to make it work. Let me show you.” He opened up yet another door.
“We keep this part of the base separate from the rest. Most of this stuff is non-volatile, but we had explosions in the past.” A loud roaring could be heard coming from the end of the short hallway they were in.
“This lab doesn’t even show up on maps of the base. Only I and those under my direct supervision work here.” The lab was more of an engineering room. Test machinery surrounded a strange looking device setup behind a clear Plexiglas screen.
“Is that it? Does it work yet?” The General smiled at the Director.
“No. That particular engine, if that is indeed what it is, has been in our possession since the Vietnam war. One of our night fighters actually shot it down over part of Cambodia. Since we weren’t even supposed to be there in the first place, one of our LRRP teams had to be sent in to retrieve the wreckage. This engine, as well as some of the items in the other room, is what we got from them. We aren’t sure of the fuel or even how to fuel it. I set this up so you can get a first-hand look at the tech.” The Director opened up the shielding and allowed the two men inside.
“This is what TQB is using?” General Vlákas lightly ran his hands over the device.
“We think so. I really am sorry about this General.” Kenneth closed and locked the shielding trapping the two men inside.
“What! Open this door right now Director!” General Vlákas shook the handle and yelled through the view ports.
Kenneth sighed. “You just couldn’t leave it alone, could you? You just kept pushing. Some information is best left buried. Majestic sends their regards.” He motioned to one of the three other men in the room.
The engine suddenly came to life with a loud roar. Despite its appearance, it was not alien tech. It was a seventh generation jet engine with a fuel leak. By jump starting it that quickly the engine shook loose of its mounts. Specially refined JP8 fuel sprayed all over the room inundating both screaming military men. A single spark created by the engine ignited the fumes and exploded.