The Gravity of Anti-Gravity (12 page)

I almost stood up and cheered. Stella turned her head toward me so the Agents couldn’t see her face. She gave me a mischievous smile and a wink. In return I gave her a small ‘thank you’ nod. Then I figured it out, Stella was just playing with these men, and she was having a good time doing it.

Inspector Bain stood up and said “We need to put our heads together and figure out a plan. We will report to our office and get their input. Let’s meet at three and agree on our next steps.”

The inspectors left and the three of us were alone. “Dr. Brooks, unless I miss my guess, Stella hit a home run,” I said. “Thank God you let her run the point. Those guys left here and I feel their mission statement now matches ours; to keep the project here.”

“It seemed that way to me too but as Stella implied, these guys are just low level pawns in a game of 3-D Chess. There are still many levels of bureaucrats who will need to sign off on our eventual status,” commented Dr. Brooks.

When we reconvened at three, Reynolds said, “Do you have any other chairs than these? I’ve sat on park benches that are more comfortable than these folding chairs.”

Dr Brooks rolled in some executive office chairs from other offices.

Bain sat down and began what became the shortest meeting on record. “When I relayed the information you gave me to my boss, I thought he was going to choke. He said he was having trouble believing my story. Unfortunately for you people, he and his boss will be here tomorrow. He insists on a first hand account of what happened.” The meeting ended and the two FBI agents left.

The next morning was Tuesday. At 8 AM we met a Mr. Burlingame and a Mr. Waterman. We surmised that
Burlingame was Bain and Reynolds boss but that Waterman was the real power in the room. Agent Waterman was tall, bald and dressed in a tastefully tailored suit that looked expensive. His arrogant demeanor revealed his inflated opinion of himself.

“What rank are you guys” I asked.

“We don’t have a rank and we’re here to ask the questions, thank you” said Waterman. “Now, Mr. Burlingame and I need to hear your account from the beginning. I hope you won’t mind but we need to record the conversation.” With that he leaned forward and placed a recording device on the desk in front of us.

Again Stella went through the entire story. With practice, she was even more mesmerizing than before.

“That’s quite a story,” said Waterman. “I also read through your explanation of the anti-gravity theory. It was a little over my head but our technical people are studying it now. They will get back to me soon. Of course we are going to have to see a demonstration of the device working before we can authorize anything.”

“You actually want to fire up the Flying Wallenda again?” I asked.

“Yes, our people estimate that creating a new electronic design would cost hundreds of millions of dollars of tax payer money,” said Waterman “The administration can’t afford any more mistakes of that magnitude.”

“My grandfather and I made the original for about three thousand dollars and a lot of hard work,” I said. “Do you really think this project will cost that much money?”

In Stella’s amazing ability to captivate a male audience, she interjected, “all the more reason to keep the project here at least through the working prototype. Our preliminary estimates of the costs run a fraction of what you have quoted. I promise we will squander no tax payer money. So when do you want to see the Flying Wallenda’s second ascent?”

“Excuse me Dr. Morton,” I gulped. “How do we know we won’t create another time wave?”

“Bill, I’ve studied your calculations, and I am sure it’s just a matter of the speeds of your device. I’ll show you my numbers later.” Stella said.

“OK then, we will meet here, Thursday at 10 AM to rerun the test,” said Waterman “I’ll be bringing some of our best scientific people, so let’s hope the device works or there will be a lot of explaining to do.”

“I suggest we do the test in my grandfather’s barn again,” I offered. “You see we patched a lot of devices together to complete our test and trying to move it all to another location might shake something loose and jeopardize the experiment. As long as you’re not coming to arrest him, I’m sure my grandfather won’t mind.”

The FBI agents agreed.

Stella and I went to the barn on Wednesday to set everything up for the test the following day. I had prepared Pops in advance for our set-up on Wednesday and test on Thursday.

“Pops, I’d like you to meet Dr. Stella Morton, my associate at JPL.”

“Bill, you mentioned Dr. Morton was attractive but she is stunning.” Pops whispered loud enough for Stella to hear.

“Thank you Mr. Burton. As I understand it, without your help, Bill’s little project never would have gotten off the ground.” Stella said with a broad smile.

Pops laughed out loud and said, “Smart, gorgeous and funny, is there anything you can’t do Doc?”

“Probably,” Stella said, “but I suggest we get to work. If we are going to have anti-gravity and not create a time-shift wave, I’ve got to understand your machinery.”

Stella, Pops and I carried the Flying Wallenda up from the bomb shelter and placed it on the stand.

“Nice bomb shelter Mr. Burton. I suggest you do not tell the Feds that it exists.” said Stella.

“That was my plan,” said Pops. “If there ever was an attack, those government guys would be the first group to try to get in. They’d claim that because they work for the Feds, their lives are more important than the rest of us.”

“Pops doesn’t hold our government in high regard right now”. I said to Stella.

“Bill I tend to agree with your grandfather.” Stella said. “The economy here and in the world has taken some major hits the last few years. Greed and the desire for power has steered otherwise decent politicians to do anything to get reelected and it goes downhill from there.”

“OK, I suggest we curb the political discussion and prepare for our presentation tomorrow.” I said

With that Stella’s focus became directed at my device. She showed an uncanny understanding of the concept. She had Pops and I test each orb to make sure they would hold together during the test. After she was satisfied that the machine was mechanically sound, she got to work doing calculations on her laptop. When I tried to look over her shoulder, she seemed to carefully position her body so that my vision was limited.

“Stella, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you don’t want me to see your work.” I said.

“Don’t worry Bill, when I’m done, I’ll go over everything with you.” She said.

And she did. In the minutest detail she explained the string theory associated with the gravity concept. Her explanation made a slightly muddled concept in my head, crystal clear. She explained that if we get the center orb up to speed first and then slowly bring up the outer orbs, there will be no risk of a time shift.

“Stella, you’ve got to be the smartest person on the planet,” I said. “I’ve been studying the concept of gravity, string theory and everything related to the subject all my life. In fifteen minutes you have cleared up just about every question I’ve ever had. I’m surprised you weren’t the one to create the first anti-gravity machine.”

“Thanks Bill,” Stella said, “but that’s a story for another time. I think we are ready for the test tomorrow. There’s one more thing I want to do though and that’s install some security cameras here in the barn for tomorrows test.” She then went to her car and brought in the smallest video cameras I’d ever seen.

“Where did you get those?” I asked.

“It helps to have a brother in the security business.” She said. “These are state of the art.”

Stella installed the tiny devices behind objects in the room where no one would see them.

“Two problems,” I said. “First, you don’t have line of sight between the cameras and the Flying Wallenda. They will be blind.”

“Bill, remember, state of the art! These devices have an ability to see through low-density objects like wood. And to answer your second unasked question, the recorder will transmit a signal to my apartment and be recorded on Rolf’s laptop. The frequency we are using is nothing the government could ever discover right now. OK, I think we’re done here for today”

“And Bill, why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?” Stella asked.

             
Yippee I thought and said, “We could go out. I’m not as broke as I used to be.”

“Bill, I enjoy our quiet dinners at home, don’t you? I think I’d rather stay in,” Stella said.

“I wholeheartedly agree.” I answered.

The evening at Stella’s was to say the least, stimulating both mentally and physically. We went over the next day in fine detail. The goal was to demonstrate the device, answer questions with vague answers and get our government observers back to their respective cubicles as soon as possible.

As I was leaving, I looked at Stella and couldn’t control my comment. “Stella, you far exceed anything any man could ever hope for in a woman. Especially a nerd like me! I’m afraid I’m falling in love with you, but I know that would only complicate things.”

“Bill, I care for you too,” Stella said as she kissed me tenderly, “but neither one of us can afford a serious relationship right now.”

The next morning, Stella arrived at 8 AM and we started getting the Flying Wallenda flight worthy. Within 30 minutes, black government vehicles started arriving. About nine, Mr. Waterman came into the barn and asked about the status of our demonstration.

Stella answered that we’d be ready in about five minutes then asked. “Mr. Waterman, it looks like you’ve got about 30 people milling around outside; why so many?”

“Everyone has a vested interest in seeing this demonstration,” Waterman answered.

“And how do you plan on keeping all those people quiet? Stella demanded. “I hope you are aware of the implications if the existence of the device became known to the wrong people. We could all be in danger.”

“Dr. Morton, everyone outside has the highest security clearance. They have all been briefed as to the sensitivity of the device,” said Waterman. “And if the damn thing actually works, we will reinforce the confidentiality requirement to all the witnesses.”

“Do you doubt that it will work?” asked Stella.

“Yes I do,” answered Waterman, “and to insure we have a fair test, the first people I will bring in are technicians who will inspect everything. Their job is to guarantee that the test is legitimate; that there are no tricks involved.”

For the first time I saw anger in Stella’s face but it soon changed to controlled resolve. “How long will these ‘technicians’ take Mr. Waterman and I’d like you to prove to me that they also have the highest government security clearance,” Stella demanded.

“Back off Dr. Morton, whether you know it or not, I’m in charge here, not you!” Waterman stated forcefully. “I am going to bring my techs in now. It should take them about an hour.”

“Dr. Morton, why don’t we wait in the house and let the man-in-charge do his thing?” I said and Stella nodded. “Call us when you’re ready Mister Waterman, sir.”

Forty five minutes later, Agent Bain came to the house and informed us that the techs had declared the barn clean. “Good luck, people, I hope your contraption works.” he said.

“Come on Pops. The moment of truth has arrived.” I said.

The three of us walked to the barn. There were about thirty people there. Agent Waterman stood up and addressed the group.

“This is Bill Burton, the genius who built the machine you see before you. His grandfather, William Burton did the machine work that forms the structure and mechanics of the machine. Dr. Stella Morton has become the technical expert and advisor to the young Mr. Burton. Now without further ado, I’ll turn the demonstration over to Dr. Morton.”

“I believe all of you know why we are here,” said Stella, “so I will move right to what I feel is the most important consideration during and after our demonstration.”

“This technology will change the world! That may sound dramatic, but it is true. Every government, corporation and other entity both good and evil will be tempted to possess it. If the US government is the ultimate owner, wise stewardship must be exercised.” Stella continued.

“With that caution, I feel compelled to remind you that there remains a tremendous amount of work to be done to create an electronic version of this device. Some of the technologies required to complete this mission will need to be invented. That is the least of the problems. The biggest concern we face is keeping our task confidential.”

“I implore all of you to live up to your duty as responsible public servants. Do not divulge to anyone what you are about to see. If you do, too many people, especially my two dear friends here, will be in mortal danger.” Stella paused a few seconds and said, “OK, Bill let’s show these people the amazing Flying Wallenda!”

With that, I threw the main power switch. Stella was in charge of bringing the orbs up to speed. First she started the large middle orb. Within about five minutes it was up to the speed she wanted – 105,300 RPM’s. Then she started two smaller orbs at opposite corners. When they got to 10,000 RPM’s she started the other two. She slowly increased all four orbs speed to 52,000 RPM’s. The barn was alive with the noise of the machine and the anticipation of what was going to happen next. I knew her target for the outer orbs was 52,650 RPM’s. She slowly increased the speed and at exactly her predicted rate of rotation of the outer orbs, the device began to rise!