The Gateway

By Pierre M. Drolet

Having grown up gifted and graduated from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, Matthew Schauberger joined the Marine Corp due to his thirst for adventure and new challenges.

Now in his early thirties, hes retiring as a major after ten years of service. A gifted fighter pilot and engineer, Matt is pursued by the technology company his late father once worked for. At the company, he discovers his fathers lifetime work to build a time machine and is deceived into completing the project. During the process, he stumbles upon a dark family secret and the origin of this technology.

In Nazi Germany during World War II, his own grandfather was a scientist who led a top-secret project involving the development of a powerful electromagnetic engine capable of propelling flying saucer-shaped aircraft. At the end of the war in 1945, this technology was brought to the United States through Operation Paperclip, and it has evolved since then.

Facing a powerful, immoral business tycoon, the pilot ends up traveling back in time in an attempt to save his father and keep the project out of malicious hands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Apr 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480807112

Pierre M. Drolet

Pierre M. Drolet was born a Canadian but recently became a US citizen. He is known for his work as a CGI visual effects artist and designer, having worked on numerous television shows and films, including several incarnations of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Firefly. This is his debut book. Visit him online at http://www.pierre-drolet-sci-fi-museum.com.

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Copyright © 2014 Pierre M. Drolet.

Illustrations and Concept Art Created by the Author

To see the illustrations and concept art in color, visit

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Under the heading Book (Color Images)

Enter the password ‘gateway’ for access.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0710-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0711-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014906879

Archway Publishing rev. date: 04/10/2014

Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Glossary

If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.

—Nikola Tesla

Acknowledgments

I would like to give special thanks to the people who helped me realize this book project. As a CGI (computer-generated imagery) visual effects artist, I never would have imagined that one day I would write a book. English is my second language, and I have to admit that this issue was quite a challenge throughout the writing process.

The person I would like to thank first and foremost is my wonderful, beloved Lan Kao. With her kindness and generosity, she gave her time to perform the initial editing. She has been supportive of my writing project and beyond. Secondly, I would like to thank Joy M. for the final editing. And finally, many thanks to the talented artist Jesse Toves who created some of the initial illustrations in graphic novel style, which, unfortunately, are not included in the book.

Prologue

New York City, November 1944

11:11 p.m.

WHEN LOOKING AT THE CROWD walking peacefully through Times Square enjoying the nightlife, it’s hard to believe that the United States is at war. The reality is different for a military unit stepping out of The Copa nightclub. This is the last night before they deploy to Europe from Mitchel Air Force Base located on the Hempstead Plains of Long Island.

One of the young soldiers in the group stops and looks up at the large, illuminated billboards and buildings around him. He is a bit drunk and starts feeling nostalgic about his hometown. God, I’m gonna miss this, he says to himself. Shortly after he drifts off in his thoughts, two beautiful women passing by capture his attention, and one of them looks at him and smiles. He smiles back at her and says, I’m gonna miss her too. I think I’m in love.

As the soldier stares at the beautiful woman walking away, he suddenly hears a crashing sonic boom in the sky that shocks him and everyone else in sight. What the hell? he exclaims.

An eerie silence follows as the crowd in the street is stunned by what has just happened. All eyes frantically look up in the sky. A few seconds pass before air-raid sirens sound off and searchlights illuminate the sky over the city. Peeking in and out through the clouds with incredible speed is a fireball that’s heading straight for the city.

The drunken soldier can’t believe what he sees and immediately yells, We’re under attack!

Everybody runs for cover, panic-stricken as chaos erupts in the streets. As the fireball gets closer and closer, its trajectory suddenly shifts, and it begins a level flight just over the tallest buildings. The shockwave created by the fireball shatters windows, and glass shards rain on the crowded streets.

Gradually losing altitude, the fireball continues flying at high speeds above the city for many miles until it appears the unimaginable is about to happen. When it reaches the harbor, the fireball continues flying over the Hudson River in a collision course with the Statue of Liberty. The impact seems imminent until the fireball comes to a dead stop one hundred feet from Lady Liberty’s face. The fireball dissipates, and a strange, saucer-shaped aircraft appears. Still smoking, the brownish metallic aircraft is sixty feet in diameter and looks like a squashed bell. The aircraft silently hovers and wobbles as it defies gravity.

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Three miles away, two Curtiss P-40 fighter planes are flying in the area to intercept the uninvited UFO. As they approach, both pilots stare in disbelief.

What in the hell is that? the lieutenant exclaims, speaking into his headset microphone.

I don’t know, but it’s definitely not one of ours. The captain changes the radio channel. Control tower, this is Tiger One. I have visual contact on one foo fighter, possibly hostile. Request authorization to open fire.

Authorization granted, Tiger One, the control tower operator says through heavy static interference.

The captain changes course and engages the aircraft. Roger that.

As soon as his crosshairs lock on to the target, the captain opens fire. A trail of lead hits the enemy aircraft with unexpected results. Very little damage seems to be inflicted on the UFO; it’s as if the bullets decelerate drastically a few inches from the aircraft before bouncing off the surface. Both pilots are puzzled at this first attack, and the lieutenant is clearly worried.

We’re gonna need bigger guns, he calls out.

The aircraft starts to move slowly in a clumsy, wobbling manner.

Maybe not, the captain says, looking on as the foo fighter appears to be struggling. Here’s our chance to finish it.

Both P-40s engage the target for a second attack and open fire again. The result appears to be the same, as the bullets bounce off the surface of the UFO, but this time, the craft makes an evasive maneuver before accelerating to an incredible speed and disappearing.

Holy shit! Did you see that? the lieutenant cries out.

Yeah, but I wish I hadn’t. The captain changes the radio channel one more time. Control tower, this is Tiger One. Can you see the foo fighter on your radar?

The pilot hears a few seconds of static noise in his headphones before the control tower responds. Negative, Tiger One, the man from the control tower replies.

Whatever it was, it’s now gone. The captain concludes.

Both P-40s break the pursuit and return to the base.

Chapter 1

Present Day, 33,000 Feet over the Pacific Ocean

5:26 p.m.

TWO AV-8B HARRIER JUMP JETS flying in formation are on their way to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Maj. Matthew Schauberger and his wingman, Capt. Daniel Myers, are coming back from a six-month tour of duty in the Middle East. Both are good-looking men in their early thirties who are physically fit and ruggedly charming. They have known each other for nine years and are good friends. Today is an uneasy day for both of them, because this is the last time they will fly together. Matt is retiring from the Marine Corps.

Daniel, in his mischievous way, takes this last opportunity to try and convince his friend to change his mind. Come on, Matt, admit it—you’re gonna miss flying with me.

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In a quick move, Daniel rolls his Harrier jump jet over the top of Matt’s AV-8B and ends up on the other side, just a few feet from the wingtip. Matt smiles and shakes his head in amusement of Daniel’s relentless persistence.

Show-off! Matt calls out. Is that all you’ve got?

Daniel stabilizes his Harrier. Are you sure you want to give up all of this?

Matt reflects on his decision to retire from the military and has no regrets. I served my country for ten years. I think it’s time for me to move on and eventually start a family.

Too bad you won’t be around for the new F-35, Daniel says.

Matt knocks gently on the dashboard of his Harrier. Yeah. I’m not the only one who’s retiring.

Well, personally, I can’t see myself doing anything else other than flying for a living, Daniel adds sarcastically. What are you going to do if you’re not flying? Get fat and play golf?

C’mon, man! Matt jokingly yells out in his own defense. You know I have more options than that. Actually, I’ve been getting e-mails from the company my dad used to work for.

The news surprises Daniel. He knew Matt’s father had worked as a researcher for a technology corporation. That’s interesting. I thought your dad was a scientist.

He was, but he also had an engineering background like me.

At a young age, Matt showed signs of being a gifted child. He grew up with the privilege of being part of an advanced education program and went on to graduate from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering prior to turning twenty. After graduation, he made the bold decision to join the military, which was motivated by his taste for adventure and new challenges. He turned away from a promising career in engineering and thereby changed his destiny.

Daniel is curious and wants to know more. So, what are those e-mails about?

They asked me to contact them when I get back, Matt answers.

Daniel immediately jumps to the obvious conclusion. Hey, maybe they want to offer you a job.

Matt thinks about it for a moment. I don’t know about that, and even if that’s the case, I’m in no rush. If I start a new job right away, Kayla is not going to be happy with me. I promised her that we would take some time off together.

Kayla is Matt’s fiancé and have experienced their share of ups and downs throughout their long-distance relationship over the past few years. Daniel chuckles and cannot resist the chance to mess with his friend. Well, I’m actually not worried about you. I just feel bad for Kayla, because she’s the one who’s going to have to deal with having you around the house all the time.

Matt rolls his eyes and smiles. You’re an ass.

I know. Daniel takes a deep breath and adds, I need a hug.

Nah … you need to get laid. Get off my back for a second and look ahead.

Still far away on the horizon, Matt is looking through the haze hovering over the Southern California coast. Home sweet home, Matt says as he gazes at the horizon, anticipating his homecoming.

They start their descent for the approach at Air Station Miramar.

A few miles away, before they land, the control tower operator contacts Matt and Daniel. Tower One to VMA-501 and 504; runway 24R is cleared for landing. Welcome home, boys.

Roger. Good to be back, Tower One, Matt says.

Both AV-8B Harriers touch down on the runway and taxi their jump jets at the end of a row, where other Marines and Navy fighter jets are already parked.

Inside a nearby building, a beautiful brunette in her late twenties named Kayla Masson is looking out the window, waiting anxiously for the arrival of her beloved Matt.

Twenty-five minutes later, both pilots walk to the flight arrival area with their backpacks. Kayla runs to Matt and gives him a big, long hug. They gaze at each other for a moment in disbelief. They are finally reunited. He gently pulls his sweetheart closer for a tender kiss.

I’ve missed you, Kayla says with her sweet voice.

Matt kisses her again before he replies, I’ve missed you too, babe—more than you know.

Kayla lets go of Matt and looks at Daniel who is waiting with open arms. Come here, beautiful, he says. I need some love too.

Kayla reaches out and gives him a hug. It’s good to see you, Danny.

Matt grabs Daniel’s shoulder. Are you sure you don’t need a ride to LA?

No, I’m good, thanks. I’m going to stay with my folks down here for a few days, Daniel says.

Matt hugs his friend before leaving the air station. All right, buddy. I’ll see you later.

Brentwood, Los Angeles