Tales of the Sentinel: Spectrum

By Jason Farmer

For many an age, Earth had been watched by an ancient artifact drifting through the depths of interplanetary space. The alien craft had waited patiently to be caught by the hand of man. For the weird objects purpose was to deliver a story of its tormented history as well as bring a warning to humanitythat the discovery of new and advanced technology would bring a far larger responsibility than anyone had ever conceived.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Nov 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524595623

Jason Farmer

A knee injury I suffered during my school years caused me to alter my ambition to play sport professionally. I instead chose to study the arts—specifically performing arts because it could be just as physical as sports. Whilst learning the craft , I discovered a love for observing the world. Watching civilization rapidly expand across the planet inspired me to create a portfolio of artwork depicting abstract connections between life and future technology. After exhibiting my work to welcome approval , I felt spurred on to convert my ideas into story form.

Book preview

I

‘S eventy two hours.’ Lamented William Hayle as he again glanced at a digital clock sitting beside him on a small ashen coffee table. Beside it was a circular dial telephone which he also watched in hopeful anticipation. The call that the young engineer had been expecting would clarify when he could start his new employment. Having previously been contracted by a manufacturer of jet engines destined for the air force his engineering skill was actually much appreciated by his employers. However, as much as he loved the job Will also possessed an ambition to expand his horizons outside of the factory workshop. Having been inspired by the fast evolving space age and the call for better technologies to enhance space flight he began writing technical thesis’s which he hoped would advance his career. After four years of research and garden shed practice a paper he had written describing a new method of Ion propulsion was published. A year later and he was approached by an agent from the most prominent of transport administrations, N. A. S. A. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). They brought with them a job offer which would see Will manage the build of his design.

Contrary to the original blueprint, which described an engine that wouldn’t be pushing anything more than a couple of hundred pounds in weight, the contract specified a payload of sixty tonnes. It was a number far larger than anything Will had conceived of ever being built with a need for his design. His first imaginings were that of an engine which would be attached to a kind a lunar swing boat. A craft that could keep a moon colony regularly supplied for very little cost. It was an idea that the N. A. S. A. agent neither denied or acknowledged.

‘All I can say is that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.’ said the agent plainly. As far as William was concerned nothing more needed to be said. He happily signed a disclaimer stopping him from speaking about the meeting before being given the address at which he was to wait until further notice.

He rose with an impatient huff from the couch to examine the scene outside the bland apartments thin, wooden framed sash windows. The street was in the middle of a squall. Driving rain and hail pummelled those unlucky enough to be battling against the gusting wind. Their enduring faces hidden from view by either wet newspaper or umbrella left Will feeling relatively happy to be indoors yet his boredom could not be avoided.

‘I should have asked for a guitar.’ he said to himself feeling morbidly inspired by the dull scene.

The sound of a clattering bell caused him jump in his skin. The short, sharp, shock distracted Will from what was happening. Another racket from the loud and unfamiliar ring tone jerked him back into action. He whipped the telephone hand piece from its mount, took a breath and patiently placed the cold, plastic covered speaker against his ear.

‘William… Hayle.’ he said with adrenaline filled excitement causing him to stutter. After a moment of silence the voice of a well spoken English woman delivered the message he had been waiting for.

‘Thank you for your patience Mr Hayle. Your instructions are as follows. A taxi will take you to Gatwick’s North Terminal. A representative will be waiting with your flight plans. Please remember your original briefing and thank you for participating in project X-One.’

The line went dead before further enquiry could be made about project X-One. Another heavy noise buzzed through the flat as the intercom sounded at the front door. A taxi waited outside so Will grabbed a small backpack which held his essentials and left the apartment without so much as a glance back.

There was no need to ask for a sightseeing tour of London and Will would have preferred to head straight for the airport yet the driver was taking the scenic route.

‘By request of the bill payer.’ Explained the cabbie. It was the long way to Gatwick but what the bill payers intention seemed to be saying was that Will would not be returning home for some time.

He studied the passing topography. The water stained edifices, like the moors he would walk with his parents and sister, were constantly changing in the intermittent sunlight that came and went with the shower clouds. The skyline was a comparison between history and modernity yet the stone facades were still standing proud against the glass and metal towers. The city had found a beautiful balance between the revered past and its future.

The taxi left the streets of London and headed south to Gatwick. An hour later and they reached the Terminal where Will was immediately greeted by the waiting representative. She was five foot eight and wearing a dark, earth green suit that slid without a crease over her rounded hips. She smiled and her sparkling green eyes seemed to magically part her loose, black fringe. Will could not avoid being instantly attracted to his concierge. He subconsciously looked for a ring but an envelope blocked the view of her wedding finger.

‘Hello Mr Hayle. Her smooth Gallic accent made his name sound like a topping you would put on an ice-cream. My name is Elara Carnegie. she said whilst offering a handshake which Will almost did not register. Elara smiled before releasing her grip and continuing with the reception. I’ll be your escort to the facility and aid with your inception there after. I’ll try not to let you embarrass yourself. I know you’re probably going to be a little vexed by the scale of the project.’

Elara handed over the unsealed envelope. Inside was a ticket to the city of Chengdu, Shuangliu international airport.

‘China?’ enquired Will. The best of his knowledge told him that there were no N. A. S. A. sites in the red zone. It was all very strange and definitely something that could only have been conceived by high ranking officials.

‘Don’t worry. said Elara as she leaned forward with a grin in the corner of her mouth. We are all friends here.’

‘It’s nice to know that the notion of universal joy still exists.’ quipped Will as Elara gestured for him to enter the terminal. They made their way through check in and passport control eventually reaching the terminal restaurant. All the while Will tried to think of something intelligent to ask but there was nothing to enquire about such was the veil of secrecy surrounding Project X-One. The title had not been given to him before his stay at the apartment but he was still no more informed than at any other point in his processing.

‘What would you like to eat? Elara asked as Will sat down beside the view of a plane taxiing passed the terminal gates. Wait. I know. Cod fish in gluten free batter and chips… With braised peas.’

‘And I thought we had only just met.’ Will said pedantically defending the mildly uncomfortable feeling gained from someone knowing virtually everything about oneself. He was well aware of profiling during his previous employment but did not expect the information to be so freely passed to other agencies.

‘Would you like a drink? asked Elara. Will could see Elara’s right shoe already motioning towards the counter. I’m having a bloody Mary.’ She said with an innocent grin.

‘I’ll have half a cold one. Thanks.’ Replied Will. As Elara turned for the food counter he was momentarily distracted by the view of his escort’s straight backed and satisfyingly sophisticated stride. Elara was not a stiff in a suit but instead exhibited an air of exuberance. Upon her return with their drinks she found Will daydreaming as he stared at the plane bays.

‘What was you thinking about?’ asked Elara over the rim of her glass.

‘I was trying to take it all in. Musing, you might say, about this new world I’m entering.’

‘Musing?’ said Elara with a smile Will knew shouldn’t be reacted to as patronising although he suspected she was actually laughing at him. After all she had probably at some point been through and suffered the same uncertainties.

‘How did you get on the project?’ he asked expecting that his own history was a given. Elara, calmly placed her drink down. She slowly slipped her fingers away from the glass and used a napkin to gently dab her lips clean.

‘After getting my masters in biology I toured the universities lecturing on animal metabolism. she said with a proud undertone. But I do hate wearing tweed. I read about the possibility of missions to probe Europa. I wrote a paper on the possible diversities of metabolic systems in the moon’s ocean. I got a team of engineers together and made an application for rocket time from the European Space Agency. To our disappointment E. S. A. replied explaining that there was not to be a mission to Europa due to funding cuts. However, we were not left in total despair as soon my team and I were offered to work at a N. A. S. A. research site. Three years later and here I am.’

‘Just like that?!’

‘Just like that.’ replied Elara with her palms up. There was an awkward attempt at modesty as she calmly placed her hands on her lap. Will thought for a moment on his record of unanswered correspondence to the pattern office where as Elara was clever enough to be noticed by the brass with one letter. He didn’t however allow the envy to override his wish to know more about X-One.

‘So the project is a mission to Europa?’ whispered Will across the table like a student spreading secrets in the classroom.

‘I have been instructed not to discuss the project.’ replied Elara mirroring Will’s child like whisper. Obviously lacking the clearance needed to glean any more information Will turned their conversation towards subjects that had little to do with what awaited in China and more to do with family and education.

Once on the plane Will started to feel of some importance as he was shown to his first class seat. Loungers and personal monitors, for a choice of in-flight movies, on the spot attendants and the freshest air conditioning he had ever breathed made for a relaxed thirty minutes before the flight left Gatwick on its ten hour trip to the eastern hemisphere.

/

He awoke with a mild sense of confusion. After looking around Will begun to remember where he was. A pale skinned, lightly freckled face looked at him from across the aisle.

‘You’re still here.’ he murmured.

‘There were no stops in Siberia. joked Elara. Don’t worry Mr. Hayle. I’m here for the long haul… Just like you.’

‘Are we nearly there yet?’ Elara indicated a monitor at the front of the cabin as an attendant took breakfast orders.

‘A black coffee, no sugar and a couple of chocolate digestive biscuits if you have them please?’ replied Will before he resumed watching the monitor.

The flights position was southwest of a lake called Qinghai Hu in the region of Gansu. Names as unfamiliar to Will as was the contour colours on the screen. Yet to look out of the window would not indicate the varied topography that rushed passed as it was hidden by an almost endless blanket of cumulous cloud. Looking to the east the Sun could be seen rising behind a couple of distant peaks that cast two long triangular shadows across the cloud.

‘That is Laji Shan. said Elara over Will’s shoulder which startled him though she gave no apology for the shock. It is very beautiful but you can see allot more through my window.’

Will tailed Elara over to her seat where he was invited to sit. Together they leaned into the window and with a small gasp Will gazed upon the majestic vista. As far as could be seen and disappearing into the receding dawn were multiple snow crested mountains reflecting the clear morning light.

‘That is the Burhan Budai Shan. narrated Elara. Roughly translated it means Mountains of Buddha. Beyond them is the great Tibetan Plateaux.’

‘I dreamed of this. said Will. There was a girl. Her skin was a cold blue. She was giant. Drifting between the mountains and… Crying. It felt like she was looking for someone. Her eyes were jet black but…’ Will paused and looked at Elara. He examined her features to figure out whether or not it was her face in the dream.

‘What?’ enquired Elara.

‘You haven’t answered my question. he replied wishing not to embarrass Elara by suggesting that she could be his dream girl. Are we nearly there yet?’

Elara smiled nervously before once more indicating the monitor as she cautiously slipped back into what was William’s original seat. It appeared she had got the wrong end of the stick. He quickly realised his faux-pa so spent the next awkward moments until landing watching the monitor and nervously nibbling at his biscuits. Once on the ground and when passed passport control the awkward silence was broken as they entered a terminal full of military uniforms.

‘They’re on holiday rota. said Elara. They aren’t exactly from where we’re going.’

‘Not exactly?’

‘Our employer is a publicly funded organisation Mr. Hayle. We have no connection or obligation to any military force.’ replied Elara with a wry smile reminding Will of the fact that his original disclaimer possessed a N. A. S. A. letterhead. He was not naive to the fact that the space administration was originally funded by United States military defence and had been used for black book projects ever since it’s conception. The thought occurred to Will that he may be entering a military project which would explain the secrecy.

A land rover drove up to where they stood waiting outside the terminal. The vehicle’s dark blue profile made perception of its speed awkward to gauge and so the car was in front of them before Will had time to acknowledge its relevance. Across the road his gaze was otherwise drawn to a colourful clock tower in the centre of a roundabout. Atop the clock was a cartoon effigy of a Panda wearing red overall’s. It’s running pose did not resemble in the slightest manner the chilled attitude usually associated with the humble species.

‘Is this where the Panda’s live?’ asked Will with a child like grin.

‘Apart from numerous zoo’s around the world!? Yes it is.’ replied Elara as she shifted along the rear seat. The driver was, as far as Will could tell via the rear view mirror, a slightly tanned European male. His shoulder mass pushing at the hems of his well made and no doubt personally tailored navy blue suit. Although he was an intimidating sight it appeared his job was merely to drive and not to talk.

‘In May of two-thousand and eight.. begun Elara as the car pulled away from the taxi rank. … there was a large earthquake in the Sichuan province of which Chengdu is the capital. I’m pretty sure you remember the disaster from news reports because that’s how most people know where the Panda’s come from. If you recall some soldiers were helping to locate Panda’s whom had fled when a sanctuary wall collapsed.’

‘Were the soldiers from your installation.’ enquired Will.

‘It’s our installation..replied Elara as a strong but friendly reminder to him that they were colleagues even though he had not yet signed anything which would formalise such a statement. … And yes they are. She looked at him with an absurdly straight face before continuing to retort her story. I was also there. At the reserve. Her face became more relaxed but she begun to subconsciously tap her fingers upon her leg. I’m a member of the association of zoos and aquariums (A. Z. A.) I was obliged to help. You can’t see me in the video footage because I’m helping the surviving Panda’s inside the sanctuary complex.’

‘How many died?’ asked Will conscientiously.

‘One died a few days after the quake due to stress. A mother named Mao Mao was one of two other Panda’s that were missing for a time. One was discovered wandering in the forest but Mao Mao wasn’t found until a month later under the collapsed wall of her pen. Elara stopped tapping but instead looked blankly at the back of the drivers chair. un-repairable… Five of the sanctuary staff members were killed and we also lost one on the base due to falling equipment.’

‘So you were there when it happened.? enquired Will with an interest in the first hand witness account of a disaster momentarily negating his sense of compassion. What was it like?’

‘What was it like?! Elara said followed by subtle, ironic laughter. I was told small quakes were quite regular. Magnitudes of five to six were a rarity. I was told that because we were underground an earthquake would move everything in unison as opposed to the surface where buildings could be unbalanced." Elara paused and looked at the passing town which to Will looked a whole lot more residential than commercial. He had expected, judging by his escorts description of the project base, that they would be heading through the city center towards the green mountains strafing the western horizon.

‘Then on the twelfth day of the month, continued Elara. A mere week after I had arrived, the seven point nine hit. The shaking seemed to be never ending. With every bounce, shift, crack of floor, rippling walls and ceiling it soon became clear that our proximity to doom was no different than those up top. There was a tremendous sound as the whole mountain shifted three metres to the east. I can never forget the fear in everyone’s eye’s as we realised that above us sat a column of rock hundreds of meters thick and no way of escaping should it fail. A small dribble of water had begun to flow down the panel which I cowered beside. The lights flickered. I hoped that the water was flowing across electrics so I put my fingers near it in case the ceiling begun to fall. I would have preferred to be electrocuted rather than crushed. To answer your question Mr Hayle. It was the scariest moment of my life. I thought I was going to die. We all did. But in hindsight I was more frightened of seeing my friends die. A colleague was right beside me and I thought it would be horrible for her to see me fry so I took my fingers away from the water.’

Elara stared out of the window. Will decided not to interfere with her thoughts. She must have seen the passing view on many occasions but this time she just stared as if nothing was there. A melancholy that maybe Elara hoped would soon be painted over yet she had to return to it time and time again.

‘Amazingly. said Elara , reverting quickly back to her more exuberant self. The clean up only set us back a few months.’

Will caught a look in the driver’s rear view mirror who was not shy about observing his passengers actions. The story was some sort of test to profile him. He had just been given the understanding that every action performed would probably be watched from here on out.

After a quiet ten minute ride through the dense residential streets they drove onto a university campus. Amongst the red and white painted dormitories that overlooked the Funan (the old silk river) were an array of learning facilities. Elara took a couple of security tags from the back of the driver’s seat and handed one of them to Will. They left the car and entered an eight story glass building. Elara announced their presence at the reception desk and within no time at all a Chinese gentlemen appeared to escort them down a long but un-occupied corridor. They eventually turned a corner and stopped in front of a panel that appeared no different to any other wall section. Elara placed a white, segmented bracelet she was wearing against the wall. The panel begun to softly glow a pale yellow before sliding away to reveal an elevator cabin.

‘That was quick.’ said Will.

‘You’ve seen nothing yet.’ replied Elara.

‘Please hold onto the rails for your safety.’ said the Chinese escort as they stepped inside. No sooner had they done this when the door closed and the cabin begun to descend. The speed of their descent was quicker than Will had ever experienced before. He was sure that if it fell any faster that they would become weightless. Elara swung her hair to show him how it slowly settled as if they were standing on the Moon. This may have been an unexpected thrill for Will but his hands were still subconsciously grabbing the hand rail ever tighter.

‘Going down is quite fun. said Elara. It’s going up I don’t like.’

Will managed to convince himself to release a hand so that he could help pop an ear as the air pressure grew. The virtual free fall did not last long. It was only seconds before the elevator slowed to a gentle stop. Will expected a sudden jerk but not only was it the fastest elevator ride he had had but also the smoothest. For this Will was thankful as he had not eaten anything since his coffee and biscuit breakfast.

The elevator door opened onto a rail station platform. A number of adjoining train carriages that shared their palette with Chinese army fatigues waited beside the platform. The escort remained inside the elevator. His job was replaced by two waiting soldiers. Elara and Will were marched across the bare concrete floor towards the train. Frosted glass windows made it hard to see inside the carriage but there was clearly movement happening within. Upon reaching the train a carriage door slid open to reveal a tall, facially scarred Chinese soldier. His weather beaten skin and stars on his shoulder described a rank of general and man of experience. He gestured with his hand for Will and Elara to enter the car.

‘I am General Sang. I am head of security. Welcome Mr. Hayle.’ The general possessed an accent as strong as his handshake but Will was not about to mention the use of either. Turning around he was instantly taken aback by the splendid interior. There were a number of large black leather recliners each with their own polished oak side table. He was quick to notice that the windows were not frosted when looking from the inside. A Chinese hostess was serving a grey haired, bearded fellow wearing a tweed suit who sat at a small bar at the end of the carriage. In one of the leather chairs sat a smartly dressed, rather overweight gentleman nursing a tumbler of whiskey. There was also a tall, bald American general who walked towards Elara carrying a brown leather bound folder. He handed the ochre binder to her from which she removed two pieces of blue paper along with a thick white document.

‘If you could please sign these confidentiality agreements Mr. Hayle we will be able to continue your briefing.’ said Elara with a cold professionalism. Recognising a disclaimer, so wasting no time to read them, Will signed the numerous X marked dotted lines on the blue pages. He was then invited by the American to take a seat as the train, although it’s motion was virtually imperceptible, begun to leave the station. Once the train had completely entered the tunnel there was a small thump.

‘We are entering a vacuum tunnel Mr. Hayle." explained the general in a strong Texan accent exposing a couple of lower set gold teeth. All he was missing to complete the cliché was a fat cigar.

"That sound, as I am sure you realise, was the sound of air being released in to that vacuum from a pressure vessel surrounding the train. We don’t want to suck the guards in to the tunnel. Can I offer you something to drink William?’

‘Just an orange juice please. replied Will as he noticed the figure propping up the bar was being served a shot of peppered Vodka. Isn’t it a little early for elevenses.’ Will quipped without any thought to offend the drinkers free will.

‘My watch says a different time to yours Mr Hayle.’ replied the Frenchman without actually acknowledging the time on his watch. Elara placed a laptop computer on the table in front of Will. Upon it he saw an image of a microphone.

‘Please look at the screen. requested Elara. When the image turns green clearly speak your full name.’

‘William… Jason… Hayle.’

Elara then turned the screen to face herself and performed the same action after which so did the American general.

‘Elara… Poppy… Carnegie.’

‘Bruce… Trumpler. The general then finally turned the console so that it once more faced Will. This is Hans Olbers who is our European liaison. Trumpler indicated the large man sitting in the chair. Then he twitched his head towards the bar. That is Loup Debrasse. He’s just finished a long shift and feeling a little cranky. A brilliant physicist. Genius in the field of electricity.. The general leaned forward and spoke in a loud whisper. . . but a lousy drunk.’ Loup chuffed at the slight.

‘Sorry if you don’t want me here but it’s the only bar in this place. Et je voudrais obtenir de ma part. If you didn’t already know Mr Hayle That means "I don’t care. ’ said Loup with a little wave of his finger.

‘And before you ask, continued Trumpler. I am a marine General. I was stationed at Berkley Naval academy where my job wasn’t too different from here in that I deal with human resources. Any questions?’

Will knew that the general’s soft explanation of his job description covered over the fact that he was in control of an army. Sang was also no mere security guard. This was not a time to ask stupid questions so Will concentrated upon what he did know.

‘Is there a problem with the design of my engine?’ he asked whilst trying to reason why, with such resources, this band of internationals needed him to be involved.

‘No. said Loup as he tried to catch a sip of his drink but a rise in the trains acceleration took the glass away from his lips. Merde!’

‘Please tap the screen Mr. Hayle.’ said the general. Will did as requested and was shown a small dark circle at the centre of a star field.

‘In nineteen ninety, whilst on the way to Venus, Elara retorted .. the Magellan polar orbiter begun calibrating it’s radar by viewing a particular type of small body called an Apollo asteroid.’

‘They are rocky objects that spend most of their solar orbit within Earths own orbit. said Hans in a deep Bavarian accent whilst describing the motions of the celestial bodies with his thick fingers. I am a keen astronomer. I am not here to just talk money.’

‘Magellan.. continued Elara. . . delivered a picture of a shadow that was cast upon one of the largest asteroids. At first considered by N. A. S. A., and I quote. It is believed to be a smaller object orbiting the target asteroid. No further investigation required. End quote. As with most