The Andaman Nicobar Prophecy

By Kanwal Kumar Mathur

Aaron heard in disbelief the reports presented at the corporate management meeting.
What was wrong with his associates? Why were they not calling a spade a spade?
They were not reporting facts that were becoming clear in the market place. Was it wishful thinking that the nuclear power generation dilemma was a mere temporary snag and will pass?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Oct 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465303479

Kanwal Kumar Mathur

Born in New Delhi, India, Kanwal Mathur is a Mechanical Engineering Class of 1960 Graduate from the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. He did his early schooling in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. He worked in the Electric Power Generation Business Area for the Brown Boveri Company (now ABB) in Baden Switzerland , India, and the United States with interim short tenures with Consulting Engineering companies in Basel/Switzerland and Montreal/Canada. In 1984 he worked with a coal and Trading company in Nashville Tennessee and became a Business Consultant thereafter working on diverse projects in several countries. Upon retiring in 2002, he lives in Europe, shutling with his wife Hilde to be with their three children and grandchildren. Kanwal has authored four novels, The Peace Lover and The Reincarnates published and Xlibris is in the process of publishing The Andaman Nicobar Prophecy and The Mind Readers.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Aaron heard in disbelief the reports presented at the corporate management meeting.

What was wrong with his associates? Why were they not calling a spade a spade?

They were not reporting facts that were becoming clear in the market place. Was it wishful thinking that the nuclear power generation dilemma was a mere temporary snag and will pass?

Aaron’s conclusions were very clear. The nuclear industry was dying a slow death. The cleanest form of energy to meet the insatiable appetite for electric energy was becoming an invalid option. He had a gut feeling some years ago about the inevitable demise of the Nuclear energy for electric power generation. The company’s business was slowing down and industry reports were sending out alarms although some were regrettably politically motivated. It was a eerie feeling and he could sense that some of his associates in the company shared his feeling but they were not going to concur publicly. Were they just as worried and scared as he was but in denial? The sales budget submitted at the previous quarterly projections gave the impression that the nuclear industry was suffering from a cyclical hiccup. The President of the company had been discussing about the expansion of the manufacturing facilities with such enthusiasm that no one dared to contradict him.

The boss man had formed a task force to investigate the future of the nuclear power generation industry. Aaron was the task leader for the northeast region of the country. The large power generation Utilities had given responses to his questionnaire that were as different as the personalities involved but all agreed with the impending slow down in some shape or form. His own associates in the task force did not agree about any trend in the industry. He had tried to share the findings from the other task forces team members on their findings but there was an air of secrecy, he failed to comprehend. He had finally decided in drafting the report to remain as factual as possible so as not to cloud the real issues with opinions. The Boss had instructed however that a conclusion was mandatory at the end of the report. The boss expected clarity and concise results in the reports and invariably blew up if the conclusion was vague. It was ludicrous he thought to arrive at a firm conclusion when the view points varied. No expert could predict but the industry was slowing down as the survey would show.

Aaron worried about his job security whenever such situations occurred in the past but this was a very serious issue and the very future of his company was at stake. Aaron hated his job at moments like this. He found nuclear energy since early years in school incredibly fascinating. Fusion for that matter was simply gripping considering the vast source of energy available as deuterium, in the vast ocean, free and without which life as we know would not survive. but harnessing it as the prime source of electric generation was feasible; a solution by nature available for the taking and yet… .

There was a moment of silence after Ralph Moser, his associate, had read his task force report. Aaron’s report that followed was emphatic and full of facts and figures with some references, including the ‘whose who’ of major Electric Industry personalities thrown in for credibility. There was a calm before the storm at the meeting.

All eyes were on Fabian Strong, the President of the company after the presentation of the final report. The air was tense, nervous with a fearful expectation. All the task force reports were not willing to come out and call a spade a spade. There were nervous looks on the faces of all the executives. The silence was almost deafening. The President was in deep thought. His eyes were gazing at the pile of reports in front of him. He was now tapping his fingers on the table with some silent beat. Aaron was sure that there was no music playing in the President’s head. Music and Fabian were incompatible.

Finally the President looked up and gave a reassuring smile to the executives sitting around the very large conference table in the somber decorated conference room next to the President’s humungous office. A nervous smile seemed to breakout around in anticipation of words of wisdom from the Chief.

The President looked up with piercing eyes, My feedback is not as vague as what you guys have tried to present today. The company pays you to be aggressive and decisive. You are supposed to be leaders but apparently you guys lack vision to understand what is really happening in the nuclear industry. You have overlooked the fact that it is all about politics and not engineering and economics. You guys will make lousy politicians. I am disappointed with your performance. I recommend you dig deeper into the issues that are critical to our survival. Let us meet in four weeks. I expect decisive results so that the company can make the right decisions for our survival or I will recommend the Board to replace you all with real executives who earn their compensation every day. Have a good day. He stood up and left with two executives trailing him like lackeys.

Aaron walked back to his office with a glum expression on his face. His secretary looked up expecting some comments but Aaron failed to say anything. She followed him into his office. Jenny knew her boss, Aaron, well having worked a few years with him.

Faye just called me that the meeting was a disaster. Ralph is all stressed out. He is pissed off at you for being so negative about the fate of the nuclear industry. He would love to take over your job, she said pouring coffee for him in a Styrofoam cup.

Is that so! I am not capable of making up stories and playing stupid politics. Ralph is simply full of it, said Aaron in his own defense.

You should be careful because Ralph is good with spreading rumors and would love to make you the scapegoat when heads roll. Jenny counseled.

Negative my ass said Aaron.

I am going for lunch with Fred so I will be a bit late returning. Aaron said as he stood up and put on his jacket to leave.

Aaron drove in his quiet Buick, looking at the green rolling hills around Nashville. What a nice lay down, relaxed city he thought. He had moved to Tennessee five years ago from New Jersey after having led a very fast pace life. His small but quaint home in Brentwood had been furnished finally from a bachelor pad to a respectable home of an executive of Eisen Nuclear Services Company. He had started taking a real liking to his job and the life in Tennessee. As a Vice President of the company, he had to travel around the country and in Europe. He enjoyed the challenge and excitement of his job but fatigue was beginning to take its toll because of the state of the industry. The balance between job satisfaction and job fatigue was delicate. It was fine for the time being all things considered.

Aaron had created some space from his brother and his parents who lived a hectic family social life in every sense of the word. Aaron realized how hectic it was when he started a new life in Nashville. His mother, from Brooklyn, New York and his father from India he thought were a rare pair. They were both overbearing and very demanding, his mom more than his father. He rarely felt parental love, the kind he idealized; it was out there somewhere. He thought that he would one day grow out of not having it but it had become an important missing link he so desperately missed, as he grew older. Aaron’s brother Pali had been an obedient son and followed his father’s lineage of Bankers. His parents were appalled when Aaron opted to become an engineer and get a Masters in Nuclear Applied Engineering from M.I.T. The family was not impressed by his qualifications nor credentials. His dad and granddad teased him about always glowing in the dark and spreading radiation in the delicate environment. He envied people who had parental love and bonding he yearned.

Aaron saw Fred at his favorite table in the restaurant, well known for its steaks. The restaurant was in an old stockyard barn. It had a strange smell but no one seemed to be aware or cared, except Aaron. He had a nose sensitive to all kinds of odors and aromas. Fred, usually boisterous, looked serious and was drinking orange juice instead of his usual vodka martini.

Aaron sat and asked the waitress for a gin martini instead of his usual tomato juice or V8.

He waved at Fred engrossed in some thought, to get his attention.

The nuclear business has seen some market rumbling but this time it is different. We are in trouble. You know that, said Fred, rubbing his chin.

Your boss does not agree with you. I just got an earful for being uninformed to being negative about the status and prediction on the fate of the nuclear industry. You know it is not healthy to contradict his Lordship. It can have very serious consequences. responded Aaron with a sarcastic smile.

I wonder where Fabian Strong, our beloved President gets his positive feedback on the nuclear industry. I think he is mixing the healthy forecast of the nuclear Defense industry with the commercial. I am worried about my future too as a corporate lawyer. I am branded in my legal profession as a nuclear specialist much the same as you are branded a specialist in your profession. The problem is that I did my homework and gave it undiluted to the boss and he almost threw me out of his office. Sorry, but he is either blind or a genius. I can’t decide what. Now tell me what news you have. Fred remarked and ordered a double martini.

We might as well all go down the drain, drunk. It is less painful this way, Fred said with a noticeable change in his demeanor, observed Aaron.

Aaron reviewed his findings, he had painstakingly worded in his report as the leader of his task force group.

Fabian is not stupid Fred blurted. We should perhaps listen to our leader and we may live to see a better day. He continued when suddenly the waitress told him that there was a telephone call for him.

Fred immediately responded and came back to the table looking flustered Sorry Aaron I must run. I had forgotten about a meeting. Catch you later, buddy. he said gulping his drink and fast paced out of the restaurant.

The waitress looked puzzled and inquired, No food today?

Aaron waved and said Not today. The check please.

Aaron drove back, stopping on the way to pick a dozen doughnuts. He was hungry.

He was walking to his office when Jenny came running up to him.

Mr. Strong just called. He wants to see you now she was almost out of breadth.

Aaron handed her the doughnuts, turned around and briskly walked to the boss’s office.

The President’s perfect secretary, Susan, met him at the door and asked him to wait.

Did you have a good lunch? she asked, motioning him to wipe his mouth that showed traces of a doughnut.

Strong was reading a letter and he motioned Aaron to take a seat. Aaron looked around the palatial office with a large collection of fine art work. There was a new addition that caught his eye and he instinctly stood up and walked near to take a closer look. It was a Van Gogh or a Monet, for sure. Was it an original? Good Lord this man can afford expensive artwork while the second in command in the company had to watch the cash flow at home. He wondered how his married colleagues managed to make ends meet with the rising costs. How much did Susan make, he wondered? The rumor was that she had been with Strong for ages. She was young unmarried very professional but known to be cold and distant. A Vassar graduate, he had heard over the grapevine.

How do you like my Velasquez addition? Extraordinary indeed. I did not know you care for art? I mean you technical types are so busy occupied with science… oh well let us get back to work. He said in his usual curt manner.

He looked at Aaron, thought for a moment and said, I appreciate your work. You have done good work clearing the technical and commercial problems we had on the Ortho contracts. I have looked at your file recently and saw the work you did at M.I.T on gas enrichment of nuclear fuel. I also read about the honor and recognition you received from the California Institute of Technology on a research project for the Department of Defense. Well you are due a raise and I will see to it that the company recognizes your work. I am thinking of promoting you to the position of Senior Vice President. I will make the recommendation at the next Board meeting which is coming up next week.

Aaron thanked the boss and stood up to leave when Strong asked, As a curiosity, what was the nature of the research work you did for the Defense Department at Caltech? I will understand if you are not at liberty to disclose.

Nuclear Fusion, replied Aaron.

Aaron saw that Fabian gave him an astonished look. He decided to clarify Fusion is very exciting and holds a tremendous potential if it can be harnessed. Fusion as you know is the process in which the light atoms of hydrogen and deuterium combine to form a heavier atom releasing energy in form of heat. It could become the energy in the next century.

Could it make nuclear energy for power generation, as we know it, obsolete? Fabian expressed concerned.

The problem is that the fusion process releases a tremendous uncontrolled amount of Neutrons which batter the inside wall of the reactor. I am sure somebody is working on possible solutions but the technology is in its infancy and may take many years before it competes with nuclear and conventional fuels. Aaron sounded as if he was pacifying Fabian.

Yes I know what you mean, said Fabian, somehow not convinced by Aaron’s response.

Aaron stood up and thanked him again with a grin and left the office pleasantly surprised. What a turn of events from this morning he thought. He worried too much at times he thought. His mom consoled him when he looked worried. You have nothing to worry dear she said, as long as they don’t ask you to eat the yellow cake she said. He had tried to explain to his mother a few times about yellow cake (crude nuclear fuel) but she said that it all sounded like some mumbo jumbo. His father would never fail to add that the mumbo jumbo was the radiation type.

Returning from the meeting with Fabian Strong, Aaron found Ralph sitting with Jenny outside Aaron’s office. Ralph jumped up when he saw Aaron, Do you have a minute for me?

Yes of course Ralph. Please come in Aaron responded feeling relieved and pleased at what had just taken place.

What did you think of the weird meeting this morning? How is it possible that we are all wrong and Strong is right? Ralph was provoking a response that he could blabber all over the corridor.

I think we all need to take a good look at the market and report our findings in clearer terms than we did this morning. Strong can elaborate to us how he arrived at his optimistic conclusion. Aaron was careful in choosing his words.

Ralph was disappointed clearly, thought a bit, stood up and waved good-bye.

CHAPTER 2

Aaron relaxed with a glass of wine at his dining table in his home, enjoying his beef stew he had cooked the previous weekend. He liked the aged stew, which became tastier with time like goulash.

The New York Times paper headlines caught his immediate attention. It was a critique on the lack of a credible plan to implement the storage of spent nuclear fuel. He immediately cut the article out and put it in his briefcase. He needed more articles in support or against what the market place was saying about the nuclear issues. He went back to his storage room and sifted through the old newspapers for nuclear related news and found some on the Three Mile Island accident. One article in fact came out strong that the accident proved that nuclear energy was safe. Another article chided the Soviets for the Chernobyl design safety and the real problem would only be truly known over time, as the population once exposed to radiation would continue to die in larger numbers. Aaron was busily cutting out the articles for his next presentation when the phone rang.

Hi this is Susan. I hope I am not disturbing. Well I just wanted to talk to you because I think you are one of the foremost exponents on nuclear energy in the company. I am so very confused, to tell you the truth. I don’t understand what is going on in the market and it frightens me. I feel I can talk to you. May I be so bold to invite you for dinner at my place? I feel so lost and lonely. I hope you don’t mind.

The call took Aaron by surprise and he needed a moment to compose himself. She sounded cool he thought. It was the first time he had heard her talk that long. His exchanges in the office with her were limited to short business sentences. The romantic adrenalin gave a sudden boost to his otherwise subdued machismo.

Thanks Susan that is very kind of you. I will be glad to have dinner with you. I am a reasonable cook. I can help you cook up a meal. he responded.

Thanks that is great but you must try my cooking and pour me a drink as I put the final touches to a sumptuous dinner. Wonderful. So see you tomorrow at seven. I live in the Wellesley Way town houses, number seven just off the Center Court Road in Brentwood. See you. Good night Aaron.

This was turning out to be quite a day for Aaron when suddenly his phone rang again. His Mom called to remind him that his grandfather’s birthday was coming up and she wanted him to come for the weekend to Brooklyn.

That’s next week-end Ma? He responded

"No, this week-end. Listen to me. The whole family will be there so don’t disappoint us, for God’s sake. Another thing, when will you come back to live near home in Brooklyn?

You are not getting younger, so get married soon. You won’t meet someone good down there in the boonies? Do you hear me? Stay well. We miss you very much. Say something. It is costing me a fortune to call you." She concluded abruptly and banged the phone down in her customary manner.

Yes ma give my love to the family he mumbled knowing she had slammed her phone down.

Aaron marveled at the robust AT&T telephones. His mom had insisted for a long telephone chord so she could be doing things around the kitchen as she talked a mile a minute with the telephone wedged between her ear and the shoulder. She had dropped the phone many times but the robust phone remained in good working order. Aaron often felt sorry for the person on the other end, listening patiently to his mom and not getting a word in edgewise. His mom had an incredible reservoir of energy as she sped through everyday, not letting go for a minute. She rarely fell sick even when flu hit the family knocking them one after the other. Aaron had made it a point not to always watch and listen to his mom because it brought upon a feeling of fatigue and confusion.

His dad was the quiet one, in contrast to his mom and probably for a good reason. He probably had no option. He was calm even during major family calamities. Was he calm outside and cooking inside? Aaron had often wondered and asked him one day. His dad smiled and gave him a cool reply that he had a calm nature and understood the big picture. His dad had promised to tell him about the big picture when he grew up. In the meantime young Aaron had grown up to be a man and still no big picture. Finally Aaron pestered his dad about the big picture and was ceremoniously given a copy of the Holy Bible. Aaron was disappointed because he expected to hear words of wisdom instead.

He later opened the book and it read like a puzzle. He closed the book after struggling a few minutes with the contents and decided to try again when he felt inspired.

His father seeing him struggle imparted him some one liners. Remember the world is a stage and we are merely acting our part. The good Lord by giving us birth as humans gave us the choice to either understand the Creator or get engrossed in the mortal world. The former led one to true spiritual bliss and the latter choice would be a roller coaster ride ending in a futile end only to be repeated in the cycle of life and death. We spend our entire life searching for love, happiness and peace in the temporary and transient world and never find it. Get smart kid! The only love is that of the Lord. He returns your love with love. he said.

The message from his dad appeared abstract at first but meant a lot in later years when he reflected on it.

That the world was indeed a very strange place, often lingered in Aaron’s mind. Most of the people he came across were really walking puzzles. Was it by some Divine design or were his senses that deciphered, analyzed and concluded what was reality, not developed or adequately sensitive? People were like living riddles. He often felt inadequate and resigned trying to make sense. Did it have something to do with his intelligence? This was strange because he had almost a sixth sense in doing his work. It was a great capability that brought him laurels and yet that sense evaporated when it came to just plain human beings outside of his work place.

Human beings lived with a kind of a façade, a shield so it was often that they said something and meant something else.

His friend Dravid in the lab at Livingston worked with some medical brain research group in addition to his normal work. He recalled that they researched on the side lines the development of an electronic thought processor/reader to obtain a better understanding of the human brain and its functions. Aaron thought it was brilliant to have such sensors installed all over the world as a filter against deception.

CHAPTER 3

Aaron arrived early in the office to organize his newspaper cuttings for the revised task force team report. He was thinking of new approaches on how to convince Strong that the nuclear industry related to power generation was fading unless the Government and the Industry could adequately address the safety issues such as the storage of spent fuel etc.

He was absorbed in writing notes of the new approach when he saw a hand come over his desk. He looked up in surprise.

"Good morning Aaron. Sorry to distract you but here are the directions to my home.

Have a nice day and see you later Susan handed the post note with a languorous but irresistible charm leaving Aaron gaping in surprise at her. She was gone before he could recover from the surprise. He could not help losing his concentration on the subject matter he was working on. He had thought of her as a professional machine performing for her boss. There was an element of a human touch to this machine he discovered and it attracted him. He felt a gush of warm romantic feelings developing for her and before he was completely engulfed in the moment, Jenny’s voice came across, Don’t forget you have a task force meeting in five minutes, you can have coffee when you get back with a one day old jelly doughnut."

Who called for the meeting? Aaron was visibly annoyed.

Ted Forrestier, Sir Jenny replied.

And where the hell is this meeting taking place? he asked

On the second floor conference room. The memo is on your desk. Ted’s secretary Judy just called me to remind you. She responded.

Aaron walked slowly to the elevator, mechanically waving his hand at his coworkers as he walked. He was irritated by the call for a meeting without even calling him first to check if the time was convenient. Did Ted call everyone before but neglected to call him?

That can’t be because it is the secretaries who seem to run the office schedule for their bosses. Aaron felt like a puppet. It was just one of the many things that irritated him. The secretary most always answered when he called an associate. He despised the routine. He did not want Jenny to answer his calls although at times it was convenient, he thought. Some of the executives used their secretaries as a