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Graviton 2: Transcendent
Graviton 2: Transcendent
Graviton 2: Transcendent
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Graviton 2: Transcendent

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Jack Redman struggles with the dangers imposed by his invention, the Gravity Wave Generator, also known as the Graviton. He is convinced that the world would be safer without the Graviton. But then a new peril arises that threatens the safety of Jack's family and loved ones. Jack and his son Robert use the technology to save lives, but in doing so expose the Graviton to the world. Now Jack must find a way to safeguard his dangerous invention from those who would use it to gain power.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 10, 2014
ISBN9781311787972
Graviton 2: Transcendent
Author

Stephen Clark Reese

Stephen Clark Reese was born in Santa Barbara, California. He and his family returned home to Texas in 1968 when he was 9 years old. Stephen and his wife Cindy, live just outside of Paris, Texas. They have two daughters and eight grandchildren. Stephen publishes a blog entitled “Graviton, My Thoughts, My Imaginations”. Stephen and Cindy are involved with many outreach ministries including Residents Encounter Christ, a volunteer program with the Buster Cole State Prison in Bonham, Texas. Stephen works as a network administrator in a north Texas school district.

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    Book preview

    Graviton 2 - Stephen Clark Reese

    Graviton 2

    Transcendent

    Copyright Stephen Clark Reese 2013, 2024

    E-book Edition Published by OpenGate Publications

    www.opengatepublications.com

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

    Dedication and Acknowledgments

    First and foremost, I dedicate this book to my wife Cindy. Thank you for your help, your input and for enduring my many moods and insecurities. I could not have done this without you.

    Thanks to all of my family for your support and encouragement.

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

    Acts 2:17 KJV

    Transcendent: going beyond the limits of ordinary experience; being beyond comprehension.

    *In MERRIAM WEBSTER ONLINE, Retrieved November 5, 2014, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendent

    Table of Contents

    Chapter1 - Dreams

    Chapter 2 - Ankerberg Airfield

    Chapter 4 - Radioactive

    Chapter 5 – Destructive Forces

    Chapter 6 – Nuclear Threat

    Chapter 7 – Hoboken

    Chapter 9 - Busted

    Chapter 10 – The Blind Shall See

    Chapter 11 - San Francisco

    Chapter 12 - Rico

    Chapter 13 – Skyhawk

    Chapter 14 - The Lord is My Shepherd

    Chapter 15 - Returning Home

    Chapter 16 – Confession is Good for the Soul

    Chapter 17 – Rose

    Chapter 18 – Julian

    Chapter 19 – Deception

    Chapter 20 – Unraveling the Thread

    Chapter 21 - The Assault

    Chapter 22 - Hard Choices

    Chapter 23 – Conclusion

    Epilogue

    About the Author

    Chapter 1 - Dreams

    A large craft flew slowly and effortlessly through the bellowing smoke of fires that seemed to never burn out. The airship was as long as a football field, nearly as wide and heavily clad in metal, yet the death machine glided across the sky as gracefully as the zeppelins of old. Four rings mounted on each corner rotated to lethargically maneuver the floating monstrosity.

    A battered tank on the ground turned its turret upward and fired a volley at the craft, only to see it harmlessly explode before reaching the metal hull. The craft returned fire in the form of a green ray that sliced the tank neatly in two. As the two pieces of the tank fell away, something inside ignited that sent tongues of flames to the sky.

    Ahead of the airship, through the smoke a building appeared. The landmark stood tall and proud though the landscape around it was nothing but rubble. The structure no longer had value, but it seemed to mock the captain of the craft. The command was given, the ship spit a tongue of narrow green flame and the Empire State Building crumbled to the ground.

    People on the ground scrambled for cover. It was amazing that there was anyone still left in the city. Perhaps they were stranded when the bridges off the island were wiped out or maybe they just had nowhere else to hide. Men, women, and children cringed as the huge ship passed overhead, its name clearly visible in Farsi script.

    One young man ran away from the craft. As he turned to look behind him, it was the face of Robert, Jack Redman’s son, etched with fear. Just as it looked as if he were safe, the craft shot green rays, which struck Robert, and he disappeared in a swirl of smoke.

    Jack Redman sat upright in bed in a cold sweat. His eyes were wide and his breathing heavy. Jack covered his eyes as if trying to remove the memory of the dream from his eyes. A glance at the clock told him there were still four hours until morning. The next couple of hours were spent tossing and turning. Jack eventually gave up, as he had so many times before.

    After a quick shower, Jack headed for the underground research lab. He was pouring his third cup of coffee when Dan Tarnoski walked in the employee lounge. You’re up early this morning, Dan said as he poured a cup.

    Couldn’t sleep, Jack answered.

    Did you have that dream again?

    Yep, Jack said as he took a sip. The dream varies but it always ends the same way.

    It’s probably nothing. You just don’t need to eat spicy foods before bedtime.

    Or maybe I’m being told something.

    Come on, Jack, it was just a dream, Dan chided as he finished doctoring his coffee.

    Jack looked down into his coffee as if the answer were in the bottom of his cup, In the Bible, Joseph was warned in a dream to take his wife and the baby Jesus to Egypt. The scriptures are full of people being given warnings in dreams. This dream is so real, so clear. Maybe it’s a warning of what will happen if we continue the path we are on.

    Or, Dan said setting down his coffee cup, maybe it’s a warning of what could happen if we don’t get control of gravity manipulation. You’ve said yourself, this technology is not that difficult to understand once you have the key to making it work. We need to learn to control it before somebody else figures it out. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to find out that somebody isn’t already working on this themselves.

    Dan, I’m a rancher, a father, and a builder of transportation tankers. This device can be turned into a weapon far more destructive than anything this planet has seen to date. I can’t help but think that we have let the demon out of Pandora’s box and now we are trying to learn how to control it.

    And what would you have us do? Put the demon back in the box and bury it? Hope that someone else doesn’t dig it up?

    I’m just afraid this task is too big for me, Jack said shaking his head. If I make one wrong decision, millions of people could pay the ultimate price.

    Dan laughed. You have a plaque on your desk. I believe it was a gift from your late wife.

    Jack nodded his head, If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it, he quoted.

    There is a reason it was you who discovered this technology, Dan put a hand on Jack's shoulder. You are decent, Godly, and moral. You worry about other people, not just what this means for you.

    That is an awfully high standard to live up to, Jack answered.

    And humble. Did I forget humble? Dan laughed. Look, we have the circumnavigation trial coming up. This will be a milestone for us, and everyone is excited about it. Let’s just get past this and see how you feel. Just try to stay away from the jalapenos for a while.

    Don’t worry, I won’t make any rash decisions, Jack answered, but I will not give up jalapenos!

    Alex Hodge walked into the North Massachusetts Savings and Loan and was quickly ushered into the office of Sam Stiller, a heavyset man, with sandy hair and wire frame glasses. After exchanging niceties, Alex got down to business. Do you remember that loan you handled for me for that guy in Texas?

    Do I ever! Sam answered leaning back in his chair. We had to offer him a sweet deal to get him to use us instead of that local Texas bank. I’m still not sure why I let you talk me into making that loan!

    Well, pay attention and let me educate you, Alex leaned closer to Sam’s desk. Have you heard about the computer this new company, General Technologies, is coming out with?

    Have I ever! It’s all anybody is talking about. All the tech gurus are about to pop a cork over this thing. It’s supposed to be ten times faster than anything currently on the market.

    Alex Hodge leaned back and smiled, Then I guess you don’t know that GenTec is a subsidiary of Redman Industries?

    Wait a minute, Sam held up a hand. Redman is the guy who bought out your company.

    Yep.

    You mean to tell me he bought your kiosk company and turned it into the hottest computer breakthrough in fifty years?

    Yep.

    Jim Elkman is behind it, isn’t he? I had my doubts when I heard some Texas rancher wanted to get into the computer business. I started not to even consider the loan until I found out that Jim was involved. He has a strong reputation here in the Massachusetts area.

    The best I can figure is that Jim is the one behind this new breakthrough, and he got his pal Redman to bankroll the project, Sam speculated. I suspected they would move the operation to Texas, but I’ve heard they have been spending a lot of money retrofitting the plant here. But they are being tight-lipped about this new technology. None of the old staff at the plant knows a thing about what is going on.

    Of course, they are keeping a tight lid on this thing! Sam exclaimed. Wouldn’t you love to know their secret!

    I can go one better, Alex smiled. How would you like to own their secret?

    Sam raised an eyebrow. What have you got up your sleeve this time?

    Alex got up, shut the door to Sam’s office, sat back down and leaned closer. You remember back in college, we talked about how we only needed to find the one big deal to set us up for life? This is it Sam, this is the one big deal! If we play our cards right, we can own GenTec lock, stock, and barrel. We can force them to give up the plant along with the new technology.

    Alex, I don’t know, I…

    Listen, all you have to do is call the loan, Alex said lowering his voice. My sources tell me that Redman sank everything in this deal. He won’t be able to come up with the money and you can take control of the plant.

    And what’s to say that he doesn’t just go to the bank in Texas and have them finance the loan?

    Oh, he could do that, Alex answered. But when I file a suit against him claiming that he stole technology from me that wasn’t included in the purchase of the company, he will have to worry about paying lawyers to defend the case.

    Do you really think that would hold up in court?

    No, but I could delay the launching of his new computer for years. Plus, no banker in his right mind would consider giving Redman another loan under those circumstances. I figure at the very least, we can work a deal to own fifty percent of the company, which could make us both billionaires several times over!

    Sam Stiller leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers as he thought. You know, there is a chance we could go to jail?

    There is a bigger chance that we could be very, very rich.

    Sam was silent for several seconds then finally said, One thing I always liked about you. You never let morals stand in the way of making money. I’ll call the lawyers and start the process of calling the loan right away.

    Robert Redman loved flying as much as his father did, maybe more. Robert banked the twin engine Cessna 421 Golden Eagle and lined up with the runway. The plane that belonged to his flight instructor handled beautifully as it settled to the ground. Robert slowed the plane and brought it to a stop in the predetermined spot at the municipal airport. After performing the post flight check, he exited the plane and was met with his flight instructor.

    Well, that does it! The instructor said. Your final solo is complete. The only thing that stands in the way of a private pilot license is your seventeenth birthday!

    Which is two weeks away! Robert smiled. Then I get to fly down to spend the summer in Houston with my uncle Terry.

    Terry Ankerberg was not actually Robert’s uncle, but a friend of the family, who was in the Marines with Robert’s father. When they left the Marines, Terry was the one who talked Jack into taking flying lessons. Some years later, Terry bought a small private airstrip on two hundred acres of land just outside Houston where he rented out hangar space and ran a charter service. Uncle Terry promised to let Robert work for him for a summer after he earned his private pilot’s license to help rack up some flight time.

    Did I do good? Robert asked his instructor as they walked to the office.

    You did an excellent job, which is no big surprise considering that your dad is a pilot, not to mention all the pilots he has working for him. Having their help really paid off.

    You have no idea.

    When he finished his paperwork, Robert headed to the underground research lab where he was assigned to assist Dr. Dan Sarnoski. When Robert entered the new technology development section, Dan turned, greeted Robert, and asked, Are you officially a pilot?

    Not until I turn seventeen, but I am as good as one!

    I know your dad is so proud to have you following in his footsteps.

    In more ways than one! Robert answered. So, what are we working on today?

    Dan retrieved a drawing on a large format printout and handed it to Robert. Robert examined the cylindrical device depicted in the drawing. Well, this circuit is obviously a Graviton emitter, Robert said as he ran his finger over the drawing. This circuit… looks like some kind of transceiver?

    Very good! Dan smiled at his young student. I wasn’t sure you would recognize that.

    So, this is a wireless emitter. But this scale can’t be right. It would have to be more than half the size of a regular emitter.

    Actually, approximately a quarter of the size, Dan answered.

    I don’t understand why it would need to be so small, Robert continued looking over the drawing. And is this housing surgical steel?

    Dan nodded his head. Very observant. Now what is your conclusion?

    Robert furrowed his eyebrows as he put his observations together, then frowned. You intend to implant this under the skin?

    What do you think?

    I’m intrigued and a little mortified, Robert replied as he scanned the drawing. Is there a practical application to an implanted emitter?

    We hope that it will be effective in helping people with mobility issues, weakened joints and such. If we can adapt the scanner technology, we might be able to use it on people with sight problems.

    So, people who can’t walk will be able to fly?

    No, Dan laughed. These nano emitters are too small to be that powerful. These are meant more to assist motion.

    Would the nano emitter still work with the new Biofeedback Controller? Robert asked.

    The mind remote? Of course! It would work best with the Biofeedback Controller. We want to be able to program it so that when the person thinks ‘stand up’, the computer will help them stand, Dan explained. But we are years away from that point. We first have to build the wireless emitter prototypes.

    You have me for the next two weeks, Robert answered, Then I’m off to Houston for the summer.

    Dan sat down on a stool next to Robert. How is your gravity amplifier experiment going?

    Robert shrugged. I haven’t had much time to work on it since doing my flight training. It does seem to have some promise.

    You haven’t had any problems using emitters to gather gravity rather than project gravity waves?

    I had some problems with the subroutine, Robert answered. Jim gave me some pointers. I’ll work on it in my free time in Houston.

    It’s an out-of-the-box idea to collect the earth’s gravity and refocus it through the Graviton, but it could yield some benefits, Dan said. Natural gravity should be more… shall we say pure? It would be like the difference between a diamond and a cubic zirconia.

    I’ve got another idea! Robert slid to the edge of his seat with excitement. I was reading where Einstein had this theory that if you could project gravity waves in front of a moving object, you could distort time. That would make the object appear to be moving faster than it actually is, possibly beyond the speed of light.

    Hang on there, cowboy, Dan said placing a hand on Robert’s shoulder. Let’s work on one earth shaking technology at a time.

    Two weeks passed quickly for Robert. His birthday party was mainly family and a few friends. Sammy Gibbs, Robert’s best friend, was disappointed that Robert would be spending the summer in Houston, but he was resigned to spending the time without his partner in crime. Robert received his provisional private pilot’s license a couple of days later with the actual license to arrive in the mail in 10 to 14 business days. The next day, Robert was loading luggage into his father’s Cessna 172 M Skyhawk when his father approached.

    Do you have everything you need? Jack asked.

    I think I’ve thought of everything, Robert replied.

    Let’s go over the rules again.

    Awe, dad! Robert complained, We’ve already gone over them a dozen times!

    And we’ll go over them a dozen more, if necessary, Jack responded. Now, I am letting you take that Gravity Suit against my better judgment. You are not to let anybody see the suit or you in it. The suit is for emergencies only. When you take off and land the plane, use the regular engines. When you reach the maximum altitude, you can switch to Graviton propulsion. But remember, while the propellers will spin in the wind, there still won’t be any engine noise, so never use the Graviton propulsion near the ground. The fuel tanks have very little fuel in them, which is to be expected when you reach the Ankerberg Airfield.

    And while I am using the Skyhawk when I’m there, Robert interrupted, use the engine for local flights. Dad, are you sure the circumnavigation can’t wait until I get back?

    Mark and I can handle flying around the earth without you here.

    I know ya’ll can handle it, Robert said. But what if something happens?

    We will be safe. And I’ll call you the minute we land, Jack embraced his son. Now get in the air and you be careful.

    Thanks, Dad. I’ll call you when I get there.

    Robert picked up his last bag and turned toward the plane. Wait! Somebody called. Robert turned and saw Dan coming on a utility cart. The cart skidded to a stop, Dan jumped out and trotted to the plane. I have something for you, Dan held out an unwrapped box. It’s sort of a belated birthday present.

    Robert took the box, lifted off the lid and peered inside. He glanced up at Dan before reaching in the box and taking out a pair of wraparound sunglasses. They looked much like a wide headband but with a nose and ear rests with silver studs on both sides. Except for the studs, then entire glasses were black including the lens. Umm… cool, Robert nodded. Very cool.

    I didn’t make them to look cool, Dan said taking them from Robert. I made them to be functional, Dan slid the glasses on Robert’s head.

    Ahhhh… I can’t see a thing. Robert held up his hands and looked around.

    Hang on, Dan reached up and touched one of the silver studs. Robert jerked his head back as if he had been hit in the face.

    Whoa! Robert looked at his hands then looked around. What is this x-ray?

    Really, Dan? Jack interrupted. You’re giving a seventeen-year-old boy x-ray glasses?

    It’s not see-through-clothes x-ray, more like see through skin or walls x-ray, Dan explained.

    Well, that’s better, Jack said sarcastically.

    It’s a Graviton enhanced camera, not much different from what we put in the Gravity Suit helmet displays. It has natural, x-ray, night vision, thermal and gravitonic displays along with zoom in all modes. I was working on it for your birthday, but it took longer than I thought. There are instructions in the box.

    He reached out and shook Dan’s hand. Thanks. That really is a cool gift.

    You are welcome, Dan smiled. But there is one other thing. Close your eyes.

    What? Robert cupped his

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