Multi Dimensional Metals

By Bill Baillie

Two Worlds, Morv and Earth, in parallel Universes, linked by a Quantum Thread; a Portal; and an eighty year old PLAN, now reaching its conclusion, which will resolve Morv’s problem; but what does it mean for Earth: invasion, or something else; and can anything be done to stop it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bill Baillie
• Release date: Mar 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476152219

Bill Baillie

There is not too much to say about this author. He is a big Iain M Banks fan, although he does NOT write in a similar vein. He is a person of infinite imagination which would have stayed under wraps had he not uncovered a Portal to another world hidden within his place of work last year, Earthtime. After some thought he decided that he should share his discovery with the world by means of this novel, (cheap at twice the price......)He may well come upon other circumstances, as yet unseen or unimagined, and decide to share. Watch this space . . .

Book preview

MULTI DIMENSIONAL METALS

By Bill Baillie

Copyright 2012 Bill Baillie

Smashwords Edition

Cover Design by Steven McCulloch

Smashwords Edition, Licence Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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A few of the characters in this ebook have been given the names of friends and colleagues, with their permission. All others are fictional and any similarities to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

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To aid the enjoyment of the reader the Morvan units of measure with regard to distance, speed and time have been translated to the Earthside equivalents.

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CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Discovery

Chapter 2 - Another World

Chapter 3 - Karen gets her Proof

Chapter 4 - Karen hearts Thomas

Chapter 5 - Who are your Friends

Chapter 6 - Senga

Chapter 7 - Who’s fooling Who?

Chapter 8 - Conspiracy

Chapter 9 - Visit to Brasft

Chapter 10 - Planned Power Cuts

Chapter 11 - Good Greef

Chapter 12 - Senga meets the Boss

Chapter 13 - Senga Arrives

Chapter 14 - Trispak meets Ganz

Chapter 15 - Sabotage

Chapter 16 - Visit to the Portal

Chapter 17 - Family Reunion

Chapter 18 - Bill gets the Call

Chapter 19 - Finale

Epilogue

About the Author

PROLOGUE

I’m rubbing my hands now. God, it’s getting chilly... and dark. The sunlight blazing through the roof window panels a few hours ago has turned a deep blue-grey. And hungry. This may be getting serious. I’ve been sitting, walking, standing here, lost to the world for the last three and a half hours. You think I’m overstating, well, I’m not so certain. What you don’t understand is where I am. I’m in a warehouse, sure, but there’s a little more to it than that. The question is, where is the warehouse? Well, that has always been a moot point.

Everything kicked off about eight weeks ago when Michael arrived in the car park, driving a smart car. You know, you don’t know whether to park it or put it in your back pocket. Well, anyway, I observed his arrival from our ground-floor office window. I was the only one present as it happened, our sales team, the tenants of said office, having one of their off-site meetings. I remember being pretty impressed when all six foot four of Michael slid remarkably easily out of this toy vehicle; but who was he? A minute later the reception phone rang through and he briefly introduced himself. Reason for his visit was to discuss our imminent storage problem. This jogged my memory. I‘d been tasked to investigate how to improve our storage capacity and had contacted Space Age a couple of months before, having received a flyer through the post and being amused by the company name. Bryan, our operations manager actually knew of them and reckoned they would be worth talking to. I got a confirmation back by e-mail the same day but then nothing more until Michael’s arrival.

I signed him in, supplied a visitors tag, got coffee and sat him down in our back meeting room for an initial chat. Michael, who has a surname I would not attempt to pronounce let alone spell, spoke in a soft, subtle accent; I don’t really know how else to explain it. I couldn’t relate it to any region of the world, although admittedly I’m no language expert. It’s only in the last few hours that I’ve had a thought, a small epiphany, on that very subject.

Michael brought out an Ipad from his attaché case, at least it was similar to an Ipad, same size, a touch screen, but when he touched the screen an amazing thing happened. Immediately there appeared to be a model sitting on the table between us. It was a perfect copy of our facility and if you moved slightly you were looking through the walls and getting a detailed view of the interior, the racks, crane, saws etc. Michael observed my sagging jaw and explained that it was the latest thing in holographic technology. He did not explain how the program knew what our building contained however, and at the time I was too gobsmacked to ask. After what seemed an age I tentatively moved a finger towards the image, quickly glancing across to Michael seeking some kind of permission. He merely shrugged his shoulders slightly and I proceeded. My God. As my digit entered the building, suddenly, without warning, the room we were seated in was inside a full size image of the warehouse, in fact the roles were almost reversed in that the warehouse seemed to be the reality and the room had faded to a pale, ethereal copy, Michael and myself being unaffected by the new circumstances. Without saying anything I pushed my chair back, got up, and made to move towards the room’s wall which now looked like a watery reflection. Michael immediately held up his hand in a stop motion and pointed back to my seat.

I think we should now discuss your space problems, he said, switching off his machine and delivering us back to the real world again. He could see I had a hundred questions but before I uttered a word he held up his hands again. All will be explained, but not today. Let’s look at what you see as your additional capacity requirements. He pulled out a bulk standard calculator, a notepad and pencil.

I found it really difficult to concentrate on his question, so I threw him the Tell me about your company opening line which I had expected from him anyway. He proceeded to relate an interesting story which I realised later had left me little the wiser. To précis, the company was heavily involved in ‘tomorrow’s technology’ as he described it, by that he meant absolutely cutting edge. They acted as agents to trial applications developed from the latest scientific advances. He pointed to the recent holographic demonstration as a case in point.

So how would you improve our capacity? I eventually asked.

It has to do with a recent breakthrough in our understanding of multiple dimensionality. The plan would be to overlay space on space.

Glad I asked, I said.

"You should not concern yourself with this issue at the moment. Let me explain the cost situation to you, which you will understand."

I nodded and Michael moved into salesman speak again. He described how they would use our company as a test bed for an application using the ‘multiple dimensionality’ he had just mentioned, which allowed for the layering of ‘space within space’. There would be no cost to us during a trial period of between six and twelve months. Our energy bill would more than double, however. Thereafter Space Age would negotiate a deal, which he reckoned would be about twenty percent of our present lease costs for a doubling of our capacity, more or less. They would also underwrite any business losses due to faulty equipment and pay an additional penalty of the same amount again, both during the trial period and any subsequent leasing agreement.

But...how ? I had interrupted, still struggling with the physics.

He held up a hand yet again. This can be explained by our technical people later.

Any disruption to operations? I ventured.

We would need complete access to your facility for two days, which could be a weekend. Due to the sensitivity and confidential nature of the technology our staff require total control of the facility during this time. There will need to be, say, one additional day to train your operatives on how to use the new equipment. This equipment will hardly be noticed. The only significant piece of hardware will be a new door and frame for the main warehouse entrance. Unfortunately, because of the effect of the technology on the environment, your closed circuit security cameras would no longer function within the warehouse, although those guarding the external perimeter will be unaffected.

I’m totally up for this, I said, with very little thought, however, it’s not my decision. I’ll need to discuss it with our MD, but I‘ll be surprised if he’s not immediately sold on the idea. I think the science may be a stumbling block, but what with your guarantees, I can’t see him turning down the trial, at least.

Michael smiled for the first time since his arrival, more a slight curl of the lips but the sentiment was clear enough. Let us go out for lunch. he said.

Sounds good to me, I agreed.

We got to his car and the next amazing thing occurred. He clicked the ‘open’ button on his key, at least that’s what it looked like. I opened the passenger door and swinging into the seat experienced what I can only describe as a TARDIS effect. It was as though I was sitting in a Beamer. Michael proceeded to slide easily into the driver’s seat. We looked at each other and... I decided not to say anything.

God it’s really getting cold now. Another brisk walk around my ‘hotel’ is called for, I think. Anyway, what happened next? Yes. Keith, our MD, was not available for a couple of days, but I cornered him as soon as, gave him a brief summary of the meeting, without mentioning the technical side of the presentation and the strange effects which I had observed, but emphasising the potential saving in the cost per square foot compared to our current cost, yada, yada. He ventured to ask the question, ‘How?’ but I rode over it by saying that, to be honest, I didn’t understand it completely, but to me the whole thing would be win win. He must have trusted my judgement, because he gave me the nod to go ahead, but to make sure that the agreement was signed before we moved on anything. As it happened, I knew he would be away for the next two and a half months, eight weeks on business, setting up a new sales office in the US, which he had decided to tie in with a family vacation. Michael had indicated that Space Age could have the whole project completed within three weeks of the go ahead, so I would not have Keith getting involved at all. I had a free hand.

I contacted Michael with the OK, and he had the signed, fully notarised agreement hand-delivered to me on the following day. Keith scrutinised it; he was leaving that very afternoon, and now seemingly a happy man expecting wonderful things by the time he got back. I told him I would keep him posted on progress, but he said, unless there were problems, he did not need to know. I love this guy.

John, a Space Age technician, appeared the next day, Thursday. He was similar in height and colouring to Michael, well possibly a little bit shorter, less tall that is, but he spoke in the same indefinable accent. They could have been related, although John’s surname was different, and equally unpronounceable.

He spent the next two weeks, single-handedly photographing, measuring with strange looking devices, drawing up a new floor plan, identifying all of the power cables and circuits, marking various points with a luminous white paint; yet his work never seemed to interfere with the daily operation of the warehouse. When he had finished, Wednesday four weeks ago, he told me that the plan would be to proceed with the installation that very weekend.

I arrived early on the following Monday morning, quite excited. John and Michael were standing beside the new Warehouse roller door which was two thirds open, intently discussing some issue and pointing at the lintel. The door was brand new, but nothing exceptional, or so it seemed at first sight. The only obvious difference was that the frame extended out from the surrounding wall by about twenty five centimetres. There were also a couple of green lights, attached to the underside of the lintel, one at either end. On seeing me crossing the car park, the conversation stopped and they both smiled the unique smile I had first seen on Michael’s face. Things had gone well, I thought, as I waved.

Everything OK? I suggested hopefully.

Pretty much perfect, John confirmed. We did have a couple of issues with the software during setup, but they have now been resolved.

What’s next, then?

We need to start operator training. I think you will also have to set up a different method of working, however; perhaps moving stock in the current warehouse in the morning and using the new space in the afternoon. You will see what we mean, when you get up and running. Also, access to the machining area can only be made through the yard entrance. I’m sorry, but we failed to consider certain small anomalies when designing the project. It’s sort of new to us as well. This is our first full implementation.

I admit I was a little annoyed, but bit my lip, all the time thinking of the implications, but, as John had suggested, I would understand them better when we started operating in the new environment. On the face of it though, I could not see any significant problems. Our guys were all multi-taskers and a rescheduling of duties in the manner recommended should pose no difficulties or loss in efficiency.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I wish I had a torch; and my stomach is growling. I’m about ready to break into the vending machine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

John handed me a small blue bracelet to put on. It was rubbery, like those issued in swimming pools attached to a locker key, but studded all the way round with what looked like eight small, clear, glass beads. John was already wearing a similar device and he set about giving me a guided tour of what I imagined was our now, more spacious facility. As we entered through the new doorway though, I could see nothing different at all except... there was absolutely no stock! Well that’s not true; there were a few, small, random piles of bits and pieces lying about and a couple of packs on a nearby rack, but ninety nine point nine percent of our inventory had disappeared. A momentary thought of theft on a very large scale flashed through my mind, but if that was the case then why were the perpetrators still on the premises?

Your new warehouse. John smiled his little smile and moved his arms expansively.

Where’s our aluminium?

It’s here, he stated matter-of-factly, but seeing the utter confusion on my face he added, Well not here exactly. This is where we need to discuss the science. Let’s go back outside for a moment.

When we were standing in the car park again he picked up the door controller and the shutter came down, slowly sealing the entrance. He then must have pressed another button, because both green lights changed to flashing blue and a noise like that emanating from a reversing lorry filled the air. Two minutes later the sound faded and the lights changed back to a steady green again. He then proceeded to open the door and waved a beckoning hand to me, now standing a good ten metres away from the action. I moved forward slowly and we entered the warehouse again.

Bloody hell!

I could not help myself. There, in front of me, was a wall of fully laden racks, tonnes of material. It was a reverse of ‘now you see it, now you don’t’. The bits and pieces I had seen on my previous visit were no longer there, but the missing ninety nine point nine percent was!

Another little smile from John. Good trick, isn’t it, he said. I just shook my head, absolutely stunned.

Michael met us as we came out for the second time. I am thinking you will want to go into some detail with us now, he said, his eyebrows arching in unison with mine.

I guess. I got my thoughts together somewhat. Can you leave the warehouse as it is, or was, before your....your rejigging of it? I really need to get us operational, but I don’t want to move on with this until we’ve had a long, long talk. No training, no moving of stock, absolutely nothing.

Michael nodded. John clicked some kind of code into the controller and the green lights went out.

That’s the system switched off now. Your people can operate as if it was last week. It’s totally safe.

I nodded and we adjourned to the back meeting room. I phoned through to the main office and told Bryan, our operations manager that, although the project remained on track, we had decided to postpone training and that he should just proceed as normal. I would talk to him in more detail about the status after a briefing with the contractors. It was unlikely that we would be changing any working practices for another day or two at least.

We should discuss this off-site, I said as I put the phone down.

Good idea. We can go in my car, said Michael, rising from his chair. It must have been a strange sight. Three large men slipping effortlessly into a two door smart car, but there we were, in what appeared to be, in fact was, a limousine on the inside.

We travelled in silence for the ten minutes it took to reach the hotel I had chosen to continue our discussion. We settled on a corner table in the large dining room, where I sat down expectantly, waiting for all to be made clear...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I can just see the condensation coming from my breath in the gloom; the tip of my nose is complaining about the cold. Here I stand with only a Hi-Vis waistcoat covering my shirt, beginning to shiver.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

John described the science behind the project, but I have to say, not that convincingly, and after I had asked a few basic questions he came clean, saying that their clients had hit upon a way of breaking into the quantum dimensional fields in a controlled fashion and one of the outstanding results was the ability to stack dimensions within each other, like a Russian doll, but on a large scale. I thought about this and suggested that the car was another application of the principle. John answered in the negative, saying that it was, in fact, different and far more sophisticated. The TARDIS effect was something even more amazing than stacking dimensions and no-one at the present time had any real idea of how it worked, only that it did and was perfectly stable. The power requirement to operate the field splitter for this application was extremely heavy however, and a large ion generator was built in underneath the bonnet, encased in yet another level of dimensional manipulation. It would actually be the size and weight of a fully laden single deck bus if transferred into our current dimensions. He also mumbled something about time shifts, but obviously decided that he had said enouqh. ‘Was this a dream?’, I remember thinking.

Let’s talk about operational requirements. What do the guys need to work in this environment apart from a suspension of reality? I asked finally.

As you suggest, they need an open mind and also they require to follow a few simple rules, but they must follow them to the letter.

And how is it powered ? What if there’s a cut, or even a surge in power?

The system is powered by an ion generator, which feeds off the electricity supply. It is buffered to allow a six minute window in case of power loss. Any power surges would be balanced out by the generator.

So there’s a power cut. What happens?

The system will indicate the problem immediately and all personnel would leave the premises. Our tests have proven that ninety seconds would be time enough to leave the building from the furthest point.

What if someone is left in the warehouse during the power cut?

If the warehouse is in normal mode, there will not be a problem. Everything would be as it is today. If in the stacked mode, as we call it, the warehouse would revert back to normal mode, but the operative could suffer some side effects.

Side effects, what side effects?

We have never encountered any examples of them as we have never tested for this eventuality, but it has been identified that mentally, the individual could suffer a severe schizophrenic episode coupled with longer term paranoia. Physically, if the subject is in contact with a forklift or racks, or indeed any other infrastructure, he will be unharmed.

And if the subject isn’t? At this John shrugged his shoulders.

I had an awful thought. The subject could be folded up in another dimension?

An interesting hypothesis, was all John would say.

Michael, who had been sitting back, somewhat inscrutably following our conversation, leaned forward slightly and asked, When was the last power cut you had? We hadn’t had one in the eleven years I had worked there, but surely that wasn’t the point. What would Health and Safety make of this scenario? It did not bear thinking about, so that’s what I did, I stopped thinking about it; very unlike me; not like me at all.

Not in my time here, I admitted. He leaned his head slightly to one side and made a small ‘well there you are’ gesture with his hands. . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I’m over at the bothy, looking for any discarded clothing. I should have thought of this long before now; what a dope, although, with my luck, I will probably come across a thirty four inch chest size. Up the stairs and in through the unlocked door. I’m in luck. Big Tam’s locker is slightly ajar and a forty six inch extra large warehouse jacket beckons. I consider the fact that I’m in the normal space warehouse as some kind of blessing, otherwise....

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, Tuesday, training commenced, such as it was. We decided that only the operations manager, or his assistant, would operate the door control, This device was attached to the doorframe by a three metre shielded cable and was housed, actually plugged into, a stainless steel case attached to the bottom of the door frame when not in use, protected by a lock with a combination which changed each day. It was explained that if the control box was not fitted into the case each night, it would simply cease to function. The combination would only be available by phoning a special number each morning, the special phone number being delivered by e-mail at the same time. The control box was activated by using the same six-digit combination, but the key part of the procedure was the next step. A five digit code was used when stacking and unstacking dimensions. The control box would only allow input of this code once per day and one subsequent cancellation.

Every member of staff would have to wear the small blue bracelet at all times which acted as both a shield and a locator. The system would not allow a space conversion if any bracelets remained within the active area. The bracelets would vibrate and make a distinctive whine when the wearer was required to leave the building.

So, with that, operations began on Wednesday morning, but nothing actually changed until that afternoon, when the staff were exposed to the ‘magic’ for the first time.

Although there had been no overt advertising of our project I had expected visits from press, TV crews and possibly the police, as a result of hearing strange stories, but nothing happened. The staff who had been exposed to this amazing phenomenon were surprisingly diffident about the situation. Again, in the last few hours, I’ve come to think again about that reaction and a bit more about the blue bracelets, which, to be honest, I rarely wear. In fact, I think it’s part of the reason I’m in my present predicament; I’m braceletless. I sign it out religiously each morning, but it sits in my desk drawer. I would never venture out into the warehouse without it, except, of course, this one time. Curiosity just got the better of me. We apparently had a visitor.

It had been just five minutes from closing time when I heard Clemmie, one of