Swallowed by Time: The Journey Begins: Book One

By Darrell G. Coley

What if humans could find a way to travel through time? And if so, might these interactions in past events be the catalysts that prompted some of those unexplained historical events? Using accepted historical facts, Swallowed by Time weaves the lives of its characters like living threads into the tapestry of the past to provide possible answers to these questions.

Author Darrell G. Coley details an engineering team’s quest to develop a stealth technology that results in an unintended voyage through time. It introduces alternate events into history without changing its outcome. Swallowed by Time also addresses many real personal and spiritual fears, doubts, and struggles that people of faith encounter daily.

In this novel, the team’s leader, Lee Michaels, struggles to overcome his feelings of inadequacy that cause him to ask, “Who am I that God would choose me for such a task?” Additionally, Lee finds himself in a budding romantic relationship and faces the struggles of how to stay faithful to his Christian values. Swallowed by Time details how he and the other team members overcome each challenge that presents itself and become able to fulfill the calling God has placed on their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Feb 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9781489746085

Darrell G. Coley

Darrell G. Coley began writing this book while working as an aeronautical engineer for an international airline. He’s currently retired from corporate life but still works as an independent contract engineer. In addition to being an engineer, Coley Darrell is an accomplished artist and has served as senior pastor of several Southern Baptist churches during the past thirty-eight years. He and his wife, Pamela, and their dog, Wilson, live in Wilmington, Ohio.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 Darrell G. Coley.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system

without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

LifeRich Publishing is a registered trademark of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

LifeRich Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.liferichpublishing.com

844-686-9607

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

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

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally

registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4606-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4607-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4608-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023900202

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 02/22/2023

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

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

Chapter 20

Appendix A

Appendix B

About the Author

I dedicate this book to Pamela,

my wife of fifty-two years, whose love,

patience, and encouragement enabled

me to imagine and write this story.

Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.

A quote from King Solomon’s book of wisdom,

Proverbs 27:1

FOREWORD

Rare is it when an accomplished artist, skilled in the use of paints and oils, turns his talents of pictures to the written word. History itself records how rare the feat is but how refreshing it is when it occurs.

Such is the case with Darrell Coley with SWALLOWED BY TIME as precise words are used to paint the images before us. It is as if we were there listening to the conversations and seeing the events transpire right before our eyes.

This adventure allows us to witness the exciting adventures of a diverse set of characters as they work together as a team to respond to the challenges before them. The fast-paced action lends itself to a fun read while also respecting the science written for such an adventure – one written by an aeronautical engineer – using a language anyone can follow.

I highly recommend this book and the adventure it provides as we benefit from the rare and unique perspective of an artist skilled both in oils and words.

Jay Ratliff

President, Day Trade Fun

Stock/Aviation Analyst

INTRODUCTION

It has been said that mankind is only a sojourner on a vast temporal landscape. A sojourner in a landscape as vast as space and as unbounded as our imagination. So infinite is this temporal landscape, that it has eluded our understanding since creation. But as vast as it may be, what if this temporal landscape, which we call time, is only just that? A landscape over which we’re gliding across. And suppose time as we experience it and know it, was a flowing plane upon which we are fixed while it is unyieldingly counting itself off (second by second) in direct relation as we hurl through the immense reaches of space (inch by inch). If this was true, it would mean that time does not exist within, or depend on the actions and events of our lives. On the contrary, it stands alone, and we exist within it. We experience each inch of its landscape with each moment of our lives. And we are involuntarily committed to moving forward with time, just as we experience involuntary reactions within our bodies (breathing, heartbeat, etc.). We look backward in our memory at the landscape already covered, and forward as through a dark veil. Our reality is the moment, the immediate landscape that we can see, and changes only as we move forward to occupy a different point of observation. Our yesterdays are space-time which we have traveled over and left behind. Our tomorrows are the space-time before us which is yet to be experienced.

If this can be accepted as true, then it would stand to reason that if we could find a way in which we could break free of the unseen forces that propel us forward, it would then be possible to change our course and move freely through this temporal landscape. We could move forward, backward, or even laterally, thus changing the time of our points of observation and even the circumstances by which we observe. In essence, we could travel through time.

In this tale, four men come together to form a mind truss that would later become known as MOAB Technologies. Two years later they may very well have achieved the greatest accomplishment ever undertaken in the history of mankind:

THEY TRAVEL THROUGH TIME!

1

55700.png

The Lord said, ‘If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible...’

Genesis 11:6

THE TIME WAS 7:30 P.M. AND OUTSIDE IT WAS A COLD, DARK, overcast November night. There was no doubt that it was going to rain. The mist was already falling heavily, as if to warn of the large storm front which was headed their way. Lee Michaels had just finished his dinner as he looked out the windows in the living room. This was the time of year it got dark so early, he could see that the streets were already wet, reflecting the lights from the other houses and the streetlights above. The weatherman had forecasted that the temperature would drop to below freezing before midnight. All of southwestern Ohio was officially under a snowstorm warning. Projections were that between six to eight inches of snow could fall by midnight. It was definitely one of those days when you find yourself trying to find an excuse to stay inside. He had to remind himself that he had moved back to the Midwest for the change of seasons and that he used to say he liked the snow. Opening the door to the garage he stepped out of the warmth of his house into the garage where his car was. It was a four-wheel drive four door Jeep. He started the vehicle, turned on the radio to his favorite Christian station, and hit the garage door opener.

The wind was blowing, and rain was falling as he pulled onto the empty street. Driving across town, he took Osborne Road, and he headed south toward Cowan Lake. The weather made it seem darker than usual and Lee almost missed his turn. Lee turned left and pulled up to the gate of a field located halfway between Cowan Lake and OH 730, and about four miles southwest of Wilmington, Ohio. Their workshop was right in the middle of a pasture where a local farmer grazed his cattle. In its past life it was a Nike missile magazine. Now empty, it had been converted to suit the needs of Lee and his partners. Harold Wadley, the old man that had bought the land years before from the government, back when the site was closed in the 70’s, had given them full run of the buildings and missile site. He only asked that they not disturb the cows and stay out of where he stored his tractor and hay. And of course, they had to stay clear of his prize bull Clarence. The price was right, so they eagerly agreed, and nicknamed the missile silo The Bunker, alluding to a small blast proof chamber inside.

The outside of the buildings looked like a wreck. The cement block structures were weather worn, paint peeling and mostly bare, and they were covered with vines. The metal roof was rusted and looked as though it would leak like a sieve. The windows were all intact, but the frames were rusted shut. The grounds were covered in tall weeds and low scrub type bushes. The road was still there that lead to the missile magazines, but it was rough and pitted. All this was enclosed by an eight-foot chain-link fence with three rows of rusted barbed wire on top, which was left there by the military. In its past life, it had been a Nike Missile Defense base full of military personnel and kept in pristine conditions, but now it was more a nuisance to Harold.

That is until three lunatics talked him into renting it to them. Lee got out of the Jeep, opened the gate, and looked to make sure Harold’s cows weren’t too close. Driving through he could see the light shining from the entrance that went down into the missile magazine. He closed the gate behind him and pulled up to the entrance. It was cold outside, below freezing, and he hoped there would be some hot coffee waiting for him inside.

Once inside he found Chris Osborne and James Adaire arguing about something as they worked. Their two favorite subjects were religion and politics. This time it was religion and Chris was attempting to talk over James’ interruptions. His exaggerated hand gestures clearly expressed his frustration. I’m just saying that I think science and religion can find a happy medium! Just maybe those theistic evolutionists were on to something when they tried to reconcile the two. Chris said in a loud voice as he held one hand up as if to ward off James’ response. But once James had engaged the enemy, in his usual Chicago style there would be nothing to prevent his full-on frontal assault.

Evolutionists are nothin but bed-wettin nipple-heads who’re tryin to take God outa da creation. Dat way dey don’t have ta feel so guilty for messin everything up. James retorted with his usual lack of tact, and the more excited he got the stronger his accent became. "An if you think dey’re right bout anything, then you’re a bigger nipple-head than dem."

They are not nipple heads. What is that anyway? Why do you always have to go there? Chris yelled as he slammed his fist on the work bench. The fact is that many are respected theologians and scholars. He was infuriated that James would make such an accusation and be so dismissive of his beliefs. Such rage seemed to Lee rather out of character for Chris. Chris was always the easy going one of the group. James and Lee often said that he needed more assertiveness training and to learn to stand up for himself. All three men were committed Christians. Lee was a Baptist and Chris was Methodist. Both knew the bible and were conservative evangelicals. James was an evangelical Catholic, and it seemed that his Catholic background somehow gave permission at times to engage in name calling and the occasional outburst of profanity or embellishments. But all in all, he loved Jesus and usually behaved himself.

Respected by who? James demanded. What are ya? Some kinda spiritual lightweight? Dese people’re just panderin to da imbecilic masses who’re too clueless or gutless ta take a stand for what their faith says. And you’re actin like one of dose meatheads too, for even thinking dat dis argument could have any legitimacy at all.

Now, now boys, no fighting in the lab. Lee interjected with a grin as he walked in and took off his coat. We need to play nice in the sand box. No one had officially made him the leader of the group, they just assumed he was. Lee was 42, a little over six feet tall, and weighed right at two hundred pounds, and was in good shape. His auburn hair was a little long, and he combed it back. His face was accented by high cheek bones and slightly chiseled features. His brow was muscular and expressive. He was half Irish and proud of it, but his features gave away his Native American ancestry. Just the way he carried himself revealed he was a strong and confident individual. All of it together made Lee, at times, an intimidating individual … occasionally, even when he didn't mean to be. But this too had its benefits, it did give him the ability when needed to come between the other two and reinstitute peace.

Oh, Chris is actin like some brainless twit. James shouted waving his arm as if to tell Chris how unimpressed he was with his argument. He still thinks all our ancestors were monkeys. he shouted in Lee’s direction. At 5’ 10" James’ stature was not overly impressive. But what he may have lacked in height he made up in mussel and his bullish demeanor. That is not to say that James was a bully. Sure, he had the habit of trying to push his way through (or over) problem situations, and problem people as well. He was quite capable, and usually more than willing, to back up that attitude with a physical altercation if needed. One’s first impression of James Adaire would be that he was a man of simple means and intellect, a typical blue-collar education, and somewhat ill-mannered with a chip on his shoulder. While he may at times have a chip on his shoulder, and occasionally did act rather ill-mannered, he was far from being uneducated. James was more like an ill-tempered walking encyclopedia with a propensity for occasional vulgarity.

I didn’t say that. Chris protested. I said that maybe theistic evolution might be closer to the truth than some think. I’m simply saying that there might be room for science and faith to coexist. He said in defense of himself.

Chris, do you believe the Bible? Lee asked in a calm voice.

Of course, I do. responded Chris.

Then riddle me this: If the Bible is true, and God isn’t lying, how could there be millions of years of evolution which requires death and adaptation of new species, one after another when God said the world was created in seven days? And how could there be extinction of an untold number of species resulting in more death and decay, when the Bible says that before the sin in the garden there was none of that? Lee paused for a moment, looked at Chris and raised his eyebrows as if to call for his answer. "Somebody’s lying! Who do you think it is?"

Okay, so where does it say that exactly? Inquired Chris thinking that he had Lee.

The Bible says in Romans 5 that by one man sin entered the world and death by that sin. ‘Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned’ Romans 5:12. Lee paused for a moment to let it settle in slightly. Then he continued, So before the sin in the garden, there was no death – no decay.

James chuckled in the background and whispered under his breath, You silver tongued devil.

So, tell me, is God lying? Or are they wrong? asked Lee.

Okay! Okay! I’ll give that to you. Chris whimpered with a smirk. But I’m not giving up yet. I’ll have to work on it. He was soft spoken and easy going most all the time, but just like the other two, Chris hated the idea of being defeated.

Okay then. So, what-a-ya say that while you work on that, we work on this? Did you find out what went wrong with the model’s main field coils? Specifically, why did the third coil malfunction when we brought the pulse generator online? Lee looked at the coil which was lying on the bench with its windings exposed and obviously overheated. Beside the coil was the power coupling. It acted as an inline fuse and burnt through when the circuit was over stimulated. I take it from this mess that you changed the number three coil and power coupling?

Yeah, had to. The more we checked it out, the clearer it was that the third coil power coupling just couldn’t carry the load we were trying to push through it. It was about to be toast. We had to totally rework all the coils. The conduits just weren’t strong enough for containment. Chris said as he handed Lee the data he and James had been going over just prior to the heated debate over evolution. The most interesting and unexpected thing we found was that the logic circuits were ever so slightly out of sequence. That variance resulted in the pulse generator firing out of phase with the coil wavelength. Which resulted in an unstable field expansion. We believe that’s why we couldn’t seem to cause the gravitational disruption we’ve been looking for. So, we reworked those as well, and now we think the coils are calibrated close enough to initiate the spatial disruption we’ve needed.

Dat bein said, I think we’re ready ta throw da switch an’ test dis bad boy. James said as he passed by Lee and walked over to the bunker.

The bunker was an inner room that was appropriately called the blast room. It was the room that the missile crew took refuge in to protect them from the missile launch. It had been prepared to test the model’s operation. Because of what had happened last time, and because they weren’t sure just what would happen if they ever did succeed in achieving a spatial disruption, they had chosen it due to its more significantly re-enforced nature in order to hopefully contain any unwanted results. There were no windows in the bunker. Even the entrance was through a hallway that was sealed off with two blast doors. They were not going to have a repeat of last time if it was at all possible.

Fourteen months earlier the first test model vanished in a colossal explosion of what seemed like lightening and ionized gases bursting out in all directions. The model vanished and all telemetry was lost. The concussion from the blast was so great that it all but destroyed the lab which was then located in the admin building on the surface. The reinforced concrete walls of the enclosure that the test sphere was in were cracked. If it hadn’t been for the rebar, they would most likely have been blown to pieces. Tables were thrown over. Papers, control boards, and computers were all thrown to the ground in piles away from the explosion. And the men were thrown to the surrounding walls. Every attempt to locate the first test model failed. What was stranger than anything else was that there was no debris. It was just gone. They were not going to have a repeat of that!

Cameras were recessed into the walls of the bunker that produced a live feed from virtually every angle to allow the team to see inside during the test and have a visual and audio record of events. The images were fed into eight large screen monitors mounted over the control panel. Inside the chamber James mounted the reworked model by suspending it on stainless steel cables, then he attached the sensor cables to one end of the model in a neatly bundled heavily shielded wire harness. Because the model was too small to have a self-contained power generation sufficient to supply its needs, they connected power cables into the opposite end from the sensors. All control functions were run by a large control panel outside the bunker and in missile magazine. From there they controlled general power, coil strength, field initiation, plasma flow and pressure, and all other major functions. Additional slide control panels allowed them to manually balance field levels as required. Sensors such as heat, vibration, radiation, gravity, and so forth were monitored on smaller screens and controlled on the slide panels as well. Once the test chamber was secured, James began to set up the control panel for testing by beginning the pre-power checklist. Chris and Lee joined him in the check.

Up to this point the experiment was concentrated in an effort to develop a semi-translucent state of the test model, but now they were taking a different course. They had reviewed and refined their data, now they sought to create what they referred to as a bubble in space. What this would do is not bend space around them, as much as push it out of the way. This is now what they believed happened to the original sphere. It was their hope that this would open the door to a multitude of new technologies, not the least of which were stealth and anti-gravitational technologies they had originally sought to develop. The applications of these would be endless.

James began the startup process and called out the checklist to the other two who were busy monitoring their stations. Plasma pre-heat’s complete, temperature’s operational, an pressure’s at 1500 PSI. Openin plasma shutoffs. Plasma flow is now at 60 percent. Pressure manifold fields charged and holdin. Secondary generators one, two, an’ three online. Power levels are 70 percent an risin. Internal field dampenin is activated and da readin’s normal. All hatches secured; cameras fully operational. We’re recording. Start checklist is now complete. James said as he placed the checklist back in its holder. We’re ready to put da peddle to da metal.

Alright then. I’m bringing phase one online, 20 percent power … 30 percent … 60 percent power, reported Chris. Each field coil was charged independently to a predetermined power setting, called bringing phase one, two and three online.

Let’s be cautious this time so we don’t burn up any more power couplings. Hold levels at 75 percent. Once we see how they’re going to do, we will know if we can push more power through them safely. Lee advised as he monitored the power readings.

Okay that’s 75 percent. Everything seems stable. The plasma conduit temp is within acceptable parameters. Chris said with a relief that could almost be heard.

I’m bringing da number two phase online now. James called out as he began to increase power. 40 percent … 50 percent … 65 percent. I’m holdin’ at 75 percent. How do I look?

You’re still ugly, but the power couplings are doing fine. Lee commented with a little chuckle. James grinned and bobbed his head as if enjoying the insult. Then Lee announced, The computer tells me that the plasma temps are well within limits, I’m adjusting the coil field strength to align them a little more closely. The atmosphere is stable in the bunker. The comment on the atmosphere was in regard to a strange greenish mist that seemed to wisp within the fields from time to time. The three had speculated what might be causing it but had yet to fully identify its cause or fundamental nature. It was probably some type of ionization, and they didn’t think it was harmful at this point, only curious.

I’m ignorin your critique of dis handsome mug, and bringin number three phase online. Power is 40 percent … 50 percent … 65 percent. An’ holdin’ at 75 percent. Ready ta initiate da pulse generator an bring it online, James reported.

Okay, keep an eye on the controls. This is where we always get burned, Lee said as he eased the power up to 10 percent. Increasing to 20 percent.

Look, there on the monitor. The mist is wisping inside the coils. It almost appears to be following the field polarities. Chris said leaning toward the monitor.

Lee, watching the mist cautiously, James, record the readings and mark the time we detected the vapor again. See if there is anything that might give a hint as to what that is, or what’s causing it. Once we have the settings and readings recorded, bring the power up slowly just a few percent at a time on the third coil. Each level we’ll take readings.

The mist seemed to pulsate in harmony with the pulses of number three coil and danced almost playfully around the coils as if it were interacting with the increases in power. They had taken note that it began to increase in density as the power was increased on the third coil.

Everything was looking good this time. Maybe it was time to have a little well-deserved success. And they needed something good to happen! All three men were fully focused on this test. Truthfully, they knew that everything was riding on establishing a positive field interaction. They were almost out of money, the lease was almost up, and if their theory didn’t work soon, they would be forced to shut down, split up, and find regular jobs. With all this in mind, Lee was becoming more than a little discouraged. Then, during his morning coffee and Bible reading, while reading in the book of Jeremiah the Lord seemed to speak to him. He had read the verse many times before; in fact, he knew it by heart. But never before had it seemed to speak to him as clearly as it did that morning: For I know the plans I have for you — this is the Lord’s declaration — plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). It seemed as if God had spoken to him personally. He had no idea how God would work it out, or when, but he suddenly had a newfound hope that all would be okay.

James, bring the power to the pulse generator online, but only five percent. Lee said with a thoughtful tone of voice.

Dat won’t do nothin! protested James excitedly.

That’s exactly what I’m counting on! Replied Lee. We’re starting out at the lower of the scale and raising the power a little at a time. A very little at a time!

Right, interjected Chris. To ensure we don’t fry the couplings again.

The pulse generators were designed to build up an electrical capacitance and then discharge it into the plasma of the number three coil. The more power that was applied, the faster the charge would build, and the pulse would fire more rapidly. The theory stated that with coils one and two perpendicular to each other, balanced at the same hyper-power levels, they created an unstable rift in the gravitational field. The third field was positioned perpendicular to the first two, and using a pulse generator, expanded its feild outward at a highly accelerated velocity. In the past, however, the pulse charge was too great, and the couplings couldn’t handle the sudden surge of power. Lee’s plan was to increase the pulses in small increments so they could detect impending failure in the couplings before it went critical.

Okay, let’s bring it up in five percent increments with a 60 second pause between each increase to allow the field to stabilize … and record the status with each increase. Lee watched the monitors intently, not knowing what to expect.

Slowly James increased the power settings for the pulse generator. Then at about thirty-five percent something began to happen. The wisp of vapor began to grow in size and density. Chris thought he saw a distortion but couldn’t decide if it was the vapor or a true distortion. So, they continued. At fifty percent it was unmistakable that something was happening. They stopped the increases and held it where it was. This is it he thought, we’ll either make it or fail once and for all. Bring it up to 75 percent. Lee said cautiously. Chris, keep an eye on the readings. Yell out at the first hint that the readings are anything outside normal.

James increased the power to the third coil to 75 percent and nodded at Lee. At the same time, Chris declared that all levels were still holding within the acceptable ranges. This was the last working model they had, and Lee did not want to ruin it. The last few times the pulse generator was brought online it overloaded the power couplings. If it did it again it would be weeks before they could get back to testing, and they didn’t have weeks left. Yet, he knew that they would have to do something.

OH MY LORD! exclaimed Chris, starring at the rippling of space around the unit. Chris pulled up the recording and put it on screen four and slowed it down. By this time the timing of the firings were too rapid to adequately distinguish them, however, with the replay at one a greatly reduced speed it became obvious. With each firing of the pulse generator there was a definite distortion in the gravitational field around the unit. The distortion expanded