Code 47 to BREV Force

Chapter 2-1

CHAPTER 2

The rain pelted the windshield as Martin drove out of his garage. “Atmospheric propulsion, engage!” Martin could hear the hovercraft airlock being established around the vehicle as it rose above the ground. Being from the generation of gasoline automobiles that drove on highways, Martin never quite got used to the sensation of air motion produced by the wind atmosphere propelling. He almost wished that his wife, Vivian hadn’t talked him into turning in his antique road hog for this new driving experience. He told her there were still many vehicles that were ground lovers but she was sure this was safer while also being better for the environment.

“Hydro-foil stabilizers and hydro-plane precautions in force.” The lights on the corresponding panels flashed and the console computer acknowledged all systems “go.” Martin commanded, “All weather- related equipment at maximum and add additional windshield sheeting. Destination: ‘The Cottage.’”

The drive to the Cottage reminded Martin just how much of a radical change Island Falls was from his native California. Island Falls was a quiet, two college town, tucked as far east as possible in the northeastern corner of the United States. The long winding country roads that led to his office never ceased to amaze him. The architecture was a perfect blend of past and present that complimented the natural beauty of this place.

The Cottage stood on the perimeter of Norton University. As he proceeded through the campus he passed an array of buildings. Some dedicated to the founder, James K. Norton and others built in honor of the university’s many supporters. Intermixed throughout were sculpture gardens and botanical wonders brought from all over the world to emphasis the combination of form and functionality; nature and education.

The GPS: Guided Propulsion System’s on-board navigational system that was tied into the road directional controls, flashed a “slow down,” as the vehicle approached the security checkpoint building which housed the perimeter surveillance for the Cottage. The vehicle was automatically lowered to ground level. Martin casually gestured to the guard on duty inside the booth.

“Morning Sir,” the guard saluted. “If you would wait a moment, Captain Edderly wanted us to advise him when you entered the complex.”

“Yes, thanks.”

Jack Edderly, former military SEAL, had been chief of security since Martin and Vivian Kane came to Norton University.

The guard pressed some buttons that alerted the Captain and some others and then a bin appeared with the morning’s classified mail. “Your timing’s great today, Dr. Kane. The special envoy just dropped this off.” The guard placed the disk in a protective plastic pouch and then he put it in the delivery chamber which materialized inside Martin’s car. “I hope Doc Viv isn’t coming in today, especially with this weather and her condition.”

Martin removed the pouch and watched as the chamber vanished, “No, I convinced her that this was a great day to work from home. Thanks for your concern.”

Martin knew very little about the personal lives of Edderly, or the other security people but always inquired, “I hope all is well with you and yours on this gloomy day?”

“Yes sir,” he said, “thank you for asking. The transmission from the Captain is incoming on our secure channel. Dr. Kane, can you please give today’s code when the screen prompts.”

Martin had been through this procedure many times but it always made him feel like a criminal. A holographic screen appeared on his console and he voiced the numbers that corresponded to the daily codes.

The screen flashed, “Transmission successful.”

Captain Edderly’s image became visible on the monitor. “Good morning, Jack. What’s going on?” Martin addressed his comments to the visual image.

“I presume you’ve already received General Babcock’s morning alert.” Edderly’s facial expressions always matched his military protocol.

“Yes, but I didn’t really go through all the details, we have these drills so often, why is today different?”

“Yes. As per the General’s orders our facility is now on yellow alert. I am therefore initiating the following security additions. We’ve added extra personnel and doubled our shifts. All visitors will now be required to submit to matching DNA and retina scans, in addition to Oneness Card authorizations. All vehicles in and out of the facility will also be digitally deconstructed via satellite uplink which will reveal any concealed items. I apologize for any added inconvenience for you or your visitors.”

“I know it’s not you. You and your people have a job to do, so let’s get it over with!”

Captain Edderly instructed him, “I’ll need you to sit very still, while the clearances are run.”

Martin shook his head then waited. It was still unbelievable that in a matter of seconds they had all the intel needed to clear him through.

“Thanks Dr. Kane, you’re clear to proceed. Have a great day,” Jack gave him a smiling salute as he keyed in the security clearance button deactivating the invisible force field.

“Try and stay dry,” Martin added as he proceeded through the checkpoint. “GPS off.” He drove the rest of the way. He left the comfort and sophistication of the main entry road, when he turned onto an extremely muddy, slippery dirt road that led to the Cottage. The building itself was an unobtrusive structure, that along with the road leading to it was specifically designed and constructed by a secret core of army engineers. The whole concept of the road that led to this simple caretaker’s house was to eliminate the curious or any unauthorized visitors who might try to approach this secret science research facility.

The secure ten-acre, Cottage compound, was situated in such a way that it was totally obscured from view by a thick growth of aged spruce and pine trees. Because of the close proximity to Norton University campus, the caretaker type house was not readily visible from the main roads around the vast campus. Together with this ambiguous location and its highly sophisticated fenceless security system, that functioned through satellite hook-ups, visitors or curious students were prevented from just walking in, unannounced.

In the event the compound was somehow breached the security system would restrict entry from any point on the perimeter of the complex. For added security, heat sensors and infrared monitors were strategically positioned along the outermost boundaries.

The Cottage, as it was called, took eight months to construct. When the building was completed, it included all the required specifications for the Kane’s unique, high level research project. The building contained: secure offices on the entry level, data-networked computer facilities, sub-level research laboratories and extensive climate-controlled greenhouses. The main floor office was intentionally decorated with used furniture to further the facade of a caretaker’s house. In contrast, the lower level, housed what appeared to be just another state-of-the-art laboratory, while in fact, beyond the exterior face was a highly sophisticated holographic hydroponics conservatory and cryogenic facility. The Kane’s work was so highly guarded that the holographic facility was run completely by computers and holo-robots and Rosie was in charge of every aspect of the facility.

Martin parked his car adjacent to the old wooden steps of the Cottage. He gathered his briefcase and the mail pouch into his free hand, then struggled to open the car door against the fierce wind. Why don’t I just use voice command? He thought as he stepped down into a deep mud puddle. Just what I needed, soaking wet feet. Why didn’t I listen to Viv and take an extra minute to stick my shoes into the water-proofer?

Martin raced from his car to the welcome shelter of the wooden porch. He wiped the rain from his face and stomped the fresh mud from his shoes as he placed his hand on a door panel which covered a hidden scanner. His hand print activated the security code, that automatically unlocked the front door. He walked to his office through the mock living room and heard the front door automatically close and seal against the driving wind. Martin hung up his dripping raincoat on the antique coat rack and then took a moment to gaze at the holographic image of his wife Vivian and their two teenage twins, Evie and Brad that was projected onto his desk.

Martin took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the rainwater from his briefcase before placing it beside the mail on his old hardwood desk. He then moved around to the window side of the room and sat down in his cherished chair. From the knotty pine paneling to the gaudy “snow scene” pictures, the office was decorated in, what Martin jokingly referred to as “Early American Cheap.” The furnishings, although simple, were in fact, relatively homey but certainly a stark contrast to the sophisticated modern research facility located below.

He gathered what he needed for the day: his briefcase and the pouch, then unlocked the wooden hall closet door that led to the secure facility below. Even though Martin was there when the downstairs was being built, he was always amazed by the transition from the old-fashioned stairs to the hi-tech laboratory. That transition wasn’t quite as astonishing as what occurred when he passed through the lab’s solid steel door to the real facility. “Holo-lab, On – Command, Alpha Four Seven,” he ordered. A holographic authenticator materialized. Martin placed his hand over the imprint and looked directly into the cone shaped scanner. The system simultaneously verified his identity through fingerprint, DNA and retina scan. Within seconds, the confirmation indicator flashed green; the heavy bolts sounded, releasing the security locks. Martin watched as the steel doors vanished and the incredible technology of the holographic laboratory was revealed.

Martin maneuvered through the maze of high tech equipment and holo-robots handling all types of tasks. Computers were communicating with other computers: holographic and robotic technicians were busy analyzing testing data and gathering samples for experimentation. He walked to the multi-terminal command station; put down his briefcase and mail. He looked up at the six suspended progress monitors and reviewed the day’s information. Focused on the formulation monitor, Martin barked, “Rosie, where are yesterday’s bio-spectra growth results and the hydroponics 1013 negative salt specimens?”

“The files are exactly where you instructed me to send them last night: workstation, CRT4.”

Martin positioned himself to view the data. “Okay, it’s here, so where’s my coffee?”

“And, again, good morning to you too, Dr. K., grand day isn’t it?” Not waiting for him to respond, Rosie continued, “You’ve been yelling at me all morning and I don’t know why I should expect anything else, after all ….”

“All right, already!” he responded just as sarcastically. “For your information, the rain is pouring down in buckets, I’m soaked through to my shorts and yes, that h-mail set the tone for my day. But, you’re right! It’s truly a grand day, if you’ve got web feet! Now, how about the coffee?”

“Very cute, Dr. K. Has the day also given you amnesia? You know how fussy you are about your coffee not being brewed by simulators. So, since you seem to have forgotten that we do it the old-fashioned way and the coffee only starts when you clear the security shield. Now for the sake of saving the rest of this day, I may decide to have it materialize but only after you’ve apologized.”

Martin hesitated then said, “I’m sorry. This weather is really getting to me. Southern California, this isn’t! And, from the looks of the data you’ve just given me, the dampness is even affecting the hydroponics results.”

The coffee appeared on the right side of his work station. “Thank You, Rosie. Now, could you please send these results to Viv. She’ll be working from home today.”

“Already done, Dr. K. Based on the weather and her condition, I concluded she would probably be working at the off-site annex today.”

“Rosie you’re indispensable!”

“My goodness, Dr. K., I believe that almost borders on a compliment…”

Martin decided to start the day over. He sat down to enjoy his morning coffee while he examined the secure disk the guard had given him. He initialized the disk into his security data bank to release the security protocols. At once the holographic files opened and a data stream poured in. Martin scanned each file. He wasn’t surprised by the data. He instructed Rosie to key these specifications and begin running tests. While waiting for the first set of numbers, he allowed his thoughts to reflect on how far Rosie had progressed in the past twenty years.

For the first time that day, a smile came to his face and his mood began to lighten as he thought about the first time he was introduced to the L5700 UNEX computer, during her years of service at the Science Institute, in California. That model was considered ahead of anything of its time. Over the years, other 5700's were scraped for newer more efficient models but Martin had gotten so used to Rosie that he elected to have her systems regularly upgraded: refitted and reprogrammed with the latest technology. When he moved to Island Falls he decided to take her with him. With each upgrade, including voice recognition and communication software, she became more and more human. Martin eventually nick-named the L5700, Rosie, after her commercial manufacturer: Research Operating System Instrument Evaluator. He laughed, after all this time she still refused to allow him to give her a holographic body! Women!