by Mark Donovan
Dr. Gillian called his dog Rufus over to him. Rufus jumped up from his bed lying over in a corner of the lab and came lumbering over to Dr. Gillian. As Rufus walked over to them, Dr. Gillian took a small test tube containing a minute amount of the new and improved nano-dust particles and mixed it into a bowl with Rufus’s dog food. He then placed the bowl onto the floor next to him, where Rufus proceeded to devour the meal again.
“It’s nice to have a ready and willing subject,” commented Dr. Gillian with a bright smile, as he looked down at Rufus licking up the final morsels of food and nano-dust material in his bowl again.
Dr. Gillian then walked over to a computer on the lab bench and started to bring up a graphical user interface program that enabled him to configure the nano-dust and receive transmissions from it.
“I will now configure some of the nano-dust that Rufus has just consumed into video and audio sensors. Look up at the television monitor on the top of the bench.”
Instantly a high definition color video image began to be displayed on the monitor. Again, it was a dog’s eye view, namely Rufus’s, being displayed on the screen. As Rufus looked up at them begging for more food, they looked at the lab bench and their own legs and backsides being displayed on the television monitor.
“This is simply outstanding,” said Dave to Dr. Gillian. “The previous video and audio recording quality of the nano-dust material had been a private concern for me. By providing clearer and sharper video and audio like this, our friends in the administration and press will now have even a tougher time disputing the authenticity and factuality of them.”
“We’ve manufactured a dozen deployment canisters containing the new nano-dust material and it is available for use immediately,” said Dr. Gillian. “In addition, we’ve also produced two dozen small spray paint sized cans of the material for individual target applications.”
Dr. Gillian pointed to several small spray paint can sized canisters sitting on the lab bench next to him.
“With these smaller spray cans, simply push the spray nozzle button and any living thing, or material, within a 4 foot range will ingest enough of the material, or be coated sufficiently enough in it, to allow us to configure the nano-dust into various sensor types to monitor it.”
“The spray can applicators may come in use if we are unable to infect all the fence sitting congressional members at the same time Thursday evening,” said Ron. “There may be a few who don’t end up making it to the annual congressional dinner. If so, we can go out and individually target them with these,” as he picked up one of the spray cans that was sitting on the lab bench next to him.
“Dr. Gillian, again you and your team have done some fantastic work,” complemented Dave.
“Thanks Dave, we aim to please.”
Changing gears Dave asked, “What about the other item that we talked about a couple of weeks ago?”
“Ah yes, the nano-dragonfly drone. My team has completed it as well and it is ready for deployment.”
Dr. Gillian led them over to another lab bench. Sitting on the bench was a small electro-mechanical dragonfly. It was the latest in his nano-drone collection.
“Although this is a larger drone than the one Dan used in Buenos Aires, it has a number of advantages over the nano-fly. First and foremost it can stay aloft for up to four hours on a single battery charge. Much of the reason for this is due to its large corrugated structured wings. Besides providing lift and propulsion, they also function as miniature solar panels that actually convert sunlight into electrical energy. The electrical energy is then directed into the nano-dragonfly’s onboard micro battery. Although the amount of electrical energy produced by the solar panels is insufficient to keep the dragonfly aloft on its own, the solar panels enable us to extend its mission profile to the four hours by effectively slowing down the overall battery drain.”
“Fantastic. The limited flight time was a major concern for me with the nano-fly,” commented Ron.
“In addition to the extended profile the dragonfly also has the ability to accept a specific set of GPS coordinates and autonomously fly its own direct course to it. Once over the coordinates it will hover at a specified altitude.”
Dave picked up the nano-dragonfly and took a close look at its intricate structure. It weighed only a couple of ounces and was the actual size of a common dragonfly.
“Lastly, the nano-dragonfly has more payload capacity thus enabling it to carry a larger wide angle high definition camera and a highly sensitive microphone. These two features, coupled with its larger size and enhanced mission profile capabilities, enable it to be used very effectively in overhead aerial recognizance applications. I believe this is the exact surveillance feature set you’re going to need Dave on your mission next week,” said Dr. Gillian with a large smile on his face.
“You are correct Dr. Gillian. This is precisely the type of bird-in-the-sky I’m going to need. I have our new employee arriving Wednesday. I’d like you to show him around your lab when he arrives and extensively train him on the use of this new little toy. Please make sure that he is fully skilled in operating it by Thursday afternoon. He doesn’t know it yet, but his spring break vacation is going to be a bit more traditional than he could have ever imagined. Friday he will be taking a trip with Dana and me to the Caribbean.”
“I look forward to seeing him,” Dr. Gillian said. “With the new and improved graphical user interface control system for our nano-drones, I guarantee you that he’ll be highly proficient in operating the nano-dragonfly by Thursday afternoon.”
“Great. Ron and I have some other planning to do now. Again, excellent work Dr. Gillian.”
Dave and Ron departed the Material Science Research Lab and made their way down to Dave’s office. When they arrived Dana was waiting for them outside of his office.
“Good morning,” said Dave as they walked up to Dana and proceeded into his office. “We’ve got some planning to do on a number of fronts.”
“Ron, are you and Dan all prepared to depart tomorrow for Washington?” asked Dave as he sat down behind his desk.
“Yes, we’re in good shape. The flight arrangements are all set and we’ve fully analyzed the building’s heating and cooling air conditioning system schematics where the congressional dinner will take place. We should be able to deliver the nano-dust material as we did at the business leader’s conference. The only issue is that the dinner is a much larger event. Consequently we’re going to have to deploy significantly more nano-dust and it will take us a little more time to screen out the target congressional members.
“Have you been able to confirm who will be attending the dinner?” asked Dave.
“Yes, we were able to confirm which congressional members will and won’t be attending,” responded Ron. “Only one of the fence sitters won’t be attending the dinner. Congressman Hector Perez from Florida had a previous family engagement that he still plans to attend. We will, however, follow up with him and pay him a visit in Florida on Friday.”
“Good, we don’t want to leave one stone unturned,” responded Dave.
“We just need to pack up the canisters with the improved nano-dust material that Dr. Gillian was just showing us and we should be set to go.”
“Also don’t forget to take a few of those smaller spray canisters,” replied Dave. “Just in case you need to follow up and hunt down a straggler or lost congressman that may not have been in the dining area when you released the nano-dust.”
“No, we won’t forget. We’ll probably use one of them on Congressman Perez. I’ll make sure Dan packs up a few canisters of them as well. As a matter of fact, I should go check in with him now to make sure all the smaller details are in order.”
Ron left Dave and Dana in his office to iron out the particulars of two other projects.
“Dana, I am planning to pay Mr. Barbas a visit down in the Caribbean on Friday. I will be taking along with me NSurv’s latest new hire, Joe Stevens. He arrives tomorrow. I haven’t tol
d him about the trip yet. I surmise he will be pleasantly surprised, considering I’m forcing him to have to work during his spring break.”
“What a great way to start your career,” commented Dana with a laugh. “A spy trip to the Caribbean.”
“Also, I think we could use your assistance down there as well if you’d be interested in coming along. But be forewarned before accepting my offer,” he said with a laugh. “Though St. John Virgin Island is pretty nice this time of year, we don’t plan to be sun tanning on the beach very much. As a matter of fact, I’m concerned we’ve got more surveillance work than we can handle down there for just two people, particularly with one being a lab-rat greenhorn. From information we’ve received directly from Dimitris Barbas, and unbeknownst to him I might add, the southern billionaire Jason Evans and the President’s Chief of Staff are planning to spend the weekend on his yacht off the coast of St. John. From what we understand between the phone calls, the three are mapping out a strategy to help ensure congressional passage of the President’s “Transportation Movement Act”. I guarantee you they’ll be discussing quid pro quos between the three interests and I want to make sure we record it all.”
“I think I could be amenable to some warm weather and beautiful beaches for a few days,” responded Dana with a smile. “Plus, I’d like to see these guys in action and hear firsthand their plans on how they intend to line their own pockets with some of the revenues collected from the President’s new “mileage assessment fee”.”
“Great, we will be leaving early Friday morning. Due to the nature of the trip, and to minimize the administration’s surveillance efforts on the both of us, we will be going to St. John via the Citation M2 jet.”
“Sounds like a plan,” responded Dana. “I look forward to flying in a fancy corporate jet. I’ve never before had the opportunity.”
“You’ll love it. It’s the only way to fly,” said Dave with a laugh. “Before we break I do have one other topic I wanted to go over with you and ask for your assistance. Next week I plan to release the video on the conversation between Mr. Barbas and the Secretary of Commerce to the world. However, with this video clip we will broadcast it not only over all the main television news networks, but also on several of the most popular aggregation websites.”
“I can’t wait to hear the reaction when Barbas sees that clip played on national television,” commented Dana.
“Yes, he’s a man that likes to be in total control. I am sure he won’t take it well. However, I need your assistance on it. Again, I would like you to narrate the video providing both introductory and summary remarks.”
“I’d love to,” responded Dana.
“Great. Work with Ron and let’s get it wrapped up and prepared to transmit before we leave on Friday for the Caribbean. Again, we will not plan on broadcasting it until next week. However, if for some reason we need to release it earlier, or if we get delayed down in St. John, we can have the rest of the team here at NSurv release the clip.”
“I will connect up with Ron as soon as we are done here,” said Dana.
“Well I think we’re pretty much done,” responded Dave as he stood up from behind his desk. “As a matter of fact, I need to do a little prep work before a general pays me a visit later today. Apparently the Pentagon has suddenly taken an interest in NSurv and our capabilities. Not sure exactly how they learned of our capabilities, but hey, it’s the government. They have many more eyes in the skies, if you will, than we do. Last I read in a recent military magazine, the combined military services have over 10, 000 aerial drones in the field today, most of which are deployed over United States land. Although their surveillance technologies pale in comparison with what we are doing here at NSurv, they are fairly comprehensive at a coarse level.”
“As we discussed, I am sure via our phone conversations when I was at ABO, the administration believes NSurv had something to do with the Vice President’s video recording. They’re probably sending out the troops, or in this case the general, to sniff out what’s going on inside the walls of NSurv.”
“Well we will be prepared for him when he shows up today. Suffice it to say he won’t be learning very much,” responded Dave in a serious and determined tone.
With Dave’s last statement, Dana left Dave’s office to track down Ron, and Dave stepped out of his office to talk with Jane Nanders. He had asked Jane to put together a dossier on General Russell Jarod a couple of days ago so that he could better understand the man he would be talking with later on in the day. His gut had already told him that General Jarod was a man to be very wary of.
Chapter 42 (March 19, 9:00pm in Shanghai, China)
Billionaire Chinese business tycoon Chung Lee looked past the man sitting across from him at the dining table. While partially listening to the man talk, he stared out at the evening skyline from the Hai Ting restaurant on top of the ninety floor skyscraper in downtown Shanghai. A sea of red lights slowly blinked on and off in both an asynchronous and rhythmic way from the tops of all the city’s skyscrapers. Far below at street level, red and white lights from automobiles traced the city’s roadways. Shanghai had changed so much from when he was a poor young boy growing up in the city. Like him, the city had transcended its past and developed into a major international economic metropolis.
Identified by the state government at a very early age as a highly gifted and intelligent student, he had been groomed for success in China’s version of communist capitalism. He had attended Shanghai University where he received a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. From there he went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University in the United States. After completing his education at Harvard he had returned to China and started his career at Yeh Electric Train, a business that his uncle had founded a decade earlier. Three decades later he was the Chairman of the Board of Yeh Electric Train and had amassed a personal fortune of over $20 billion U.S. dollars. Though he had spent much of his career in management at the company, he had always remained an engineer at heart. Consequently there wasn’t one area of the company’s business that he did not know or couldn’t explain to anyone.
Tonight Chung Lee was having dinner with a man from the United States that he had gone to school with at Harvard. Jason Rowe was the United States Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and was sent to China to specifically meet with Chung Lee and discuss his company’s MAGLEV technology. Though Chung had stayed in touch with Jason over the years since they graduated, Chung never held Jason in high regards. When they were attending Harvard Business School, Chung viewed Jason with both admiration and contempt. Admiration because he was your all American guy living the high life in the United States, and contempt, because Jason had a high self-opinion of himself and acted as an elitist with everyone he came in contact with. This said, Chung realized as a young Harvard student that Jason Rowe was a person that was worth investing his time in, even if he had to somewhat hold back in reserve his partial disdain for him.
“Chung it is great seeing you again. It’s been nearly a decade since we last saw one another.”
“Yes, it has been a long time,” responded Chung as he returned his gaze to the man sitting across from him.
“I am so glad you were able to take some time to meet with me. I know you’re an extremely busy man right now. Your company has been experiencing tremendous growth in recent years like most Chinese corporations.”
“It’s no problem,” responded Chung. “As you said, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other and its nice reconnecting with old friends.”
Chung took a sip of his Martini before continuing. “So what brings a busy guy like you out here to China?”
“Well as you know I work as the United States Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade. As you’re also probably aware, the President of the United States has recently made it an objective of his administration and our country to build a new national public transit rail
system. Two of the main reasons for doing so are to reduce our country’s dependency on foreign oil and to dramatically decrease its output in CO2 emissions.”
“Yes, I did recently hear about his Transportation Movement Act and its key objectives on an international news broadcast. He laid out some pretty aggressive goals for your country. Do you really think he has a chance of achieving them?”
“Yes I do, and that is exactly why I am here this evening talking with you. I was tapped by my boss to explore your company’s interest in helping us achieve the President’s objectives in the TMA.”
“Really?” responded Chung questioningly. “In what possible way?”
“To be perfectly blunt with you, the President is interested in having Yeh Electric Train provide the MAGLEV locomotives and passenger cars for the rail systems he wants built in the United States.”
Chung looked at Jason incredulously. “Why would he want a Chinese company to build his MAGLEV locomotives? There are several companies in the United States that have the technology and manufacturing resources to build them. We compete with them regularly, bidding on projects around the globe.”
“Yes, yes, this is true, however, the President’s TMA objectives go much further than simply reducing the country’s energy needs and lowering CO2 emissions. He feels the United States owes a lot to the rest of the world. That over the centuries the United States has treated much of the rest of the world’s people as simply beasts of burden to take advantage of and to use for its own personal gain. He wants to right those wrongs of our nation’s past, and in the process, change how the rest of the world views our country. To help provide those, shall we say, self-imposed reparations to the world, he wants to spread our country’s wealth to other nations around the globe, including China. And to that end, we believe Yeh Electric Train is the perfect company to partner with for the production of our MAGLEV locomotives and passenger cars.”