Project Antares

PROJECT ANTARES

Vernon W Wilson

Published by Vernon W Wilson at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Vernon W Wilson

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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ISBN 9781310419256

This novel is a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents are fictional and the product of the author’s imagination. Places, real people, organizations and institutions in this work are used fictitiously without any intent to be disrespectful, harmful or misleading in any manner.

A newspaper report in the Boston Post in the 1860s noted that Joshua Coopersmith had been arrested for fraud for attempting to raise funds for work on a telephone, Well-informed people know it is impossible to transmit the human voice over wires and that, were it possible to do so, the thing would be of no practical value.

Ironically, it was also in Boston, on March 10th 1876, that Alexander Graham Bell succeeded in transmitting the human voice over wires, to his associate Thomas Watson. Western Union, the leading telegraph company, showed no interest and considered Bell’s invention to have no future.

The subsequent developments in the transmission of radio, TV signals and information has been nothing short of incredible since. Researchers have now discovered techniques using electrical frequency stimulation that can not only restore the conscious state of a person in a coma, but can also induce a loss of consciousness. Perhaps even a fatal heart attack……

Project Antares

Contents

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

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Prologue

Over a 150 million miles away from Earth, the spacecraft was slowly moving closer and closer in the same orbit to her sister spacecraft, Liberty1. It was 5 months since Liberty2 Spacecraft had left the International Space Platform 7 orbiting Earth and it had arrived less than 24 hours earlier, settling into the planned orbit around Mars. It had taken hours to synchronize the orbiting cycle of the two spacecraft.

The astronaut in charge turned to his crewmen, ‘It is vital that we keep electronic silence. I will attempt to board Liberty1 spacecraft by using our tethered module. Do not attempt to communicate with me at any time under any circumstances until I have returned’.

The astronaut was in his spacesuit when he entered the tethered module via the vacuum lock chamber. Using hand signals to indicate his actions, the module began slowly moving towards the Liberty1 only about 50 metres away. After about 30 minutes the module attached itself to the hatch of Liberty1. It took another 30 minutes for the astronaut to open the hatch to the Liberty1 vacuum chamber. At this point the astronaut hand signalled to his two crewmen that he was about to enter. The two crewmen watched intently when suddenly, the astronaut breaking his own electronic silence instruction exclaimed over the intercom, ‘Oh my God’, and then all hell broke loose.

Ted Reston was a senior executive and chief engineer for Unicorn Aerospace. He was surprised when the man claiming to be a member of National Security approached him a few years earlier and asked him to secretly install a small experimental monitoring device on one of the component units of a satellite probe his company was constructing. He was sworn to secrecy and given a substantial sum of money in cash. He was told that should the experimental device prove to be successful he would be contacted at a future date. He would be given a further sum of money and a coded instruction to switch off the monitoring device. The satellite probe itself was a commercial contract and only a few people knew the full details of its construction. How did National Security know? He was the only person in the special laboratory when he secretly placed the monitoring device in the probe before its final inspection. The next day the probe was installed in the rocket that successfully blasted off for its destination a few days later. It all happened many years ago. Two days ago he received a message from the same man from National Security. ‘The experiment has been successful and can now be terminated’, he said. The man then suggested a meeting place. Ted suggested the parking lot of his golf club. The man agreed and they arranged to meet at 5pm. While Ted was waiting in his car the alarm on a nearby car started. It was very loud and annoying. Several people including Ted walked over to the car. Eventually the owner of car, a golf club member came running up and switched off the alarm to everyone’s relief. Ted glanced at his watch, it was 5:15pm. He chatted with some of the other golf members and made his way back to his car.

‘Are you practising tonight Ted’ asked a friend?

‘Yes, I’ll fetch my togs and join you now’, replied Ted. He opened his trunk, took out his tog bag, looked around once more for the man he was supposed to meet and began walking towards the clubhouse, when he suddenly collapsed. Another member saw him fall and ran over to him. As he rolled Ted over he realised the man was dead. It was assumed that he had died from a massive heart attack.

The police arranged for a post mortem when they discovered a handwritten note in his left hand trouser pocket on which was written, ‘Do not give me the money now, there are too many people around. Let me have the information now and after I have completed the task we can arrange for the payment’.

The officer in charge of the investigation opened a case of blackmail and or bribery as possible reasons for the homicide.

Return to Contents

Chapter 1

The upmarket restaurant was virtually full that Wednesday evening. Its décor was modern but tastefully furnished. The lighting enhanced the setting for a romantic evening. Judd Johnson smiled admiringly at his attractive wife Agnes as she raised her glass of wine. ‘Let’s toast to another wonderful ten years of happy marriage Judd darling.’

‘Why only ten years?’ Judd asked.

‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you.’

‘If the next ten years are as good as the last ten years, then when we celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary, I will say let’s toast to another wonderful twenty years.’

‘I’ll drink to that Agnes.’

The conversation reminded Judd of the first date he had with Agnes. They were both amateur bird life photographers and they met on a long weekend seminar for amateur bird photographers. They were both immediately attracted to each other. Within three months they were married. However a few weeks before their wedding, Agnes told Judd that due to a bicycle accident while she was a young teenager she would be unable to have children. Judd replied immediately that he still wanted to marry her. They left the restaurant arm in arm and walked along the sidewalk towards an area where some taxis had parked. Judd suddenly felt uneasy, as if someone was following them. At that point a young couple walked passed them in the opposite direction. On the pretext of looking at the couple Judd turned around.

‘You’ve only just promised me another ten wonderful years and you are already looking at other women,’ said Agnes teasingly.

Judd did not reply but hailed a nearby taxi. As Agnes entered the taxi Judd walked around the front, looking back. He had a worried look on his face as he sat down beside Agnes. After giving directions to the taxi driver, Agnes asked, ‘What is upsetting you Judd?’

‘Agnes, I can’t help feeling that we are being followed, but I have not seen anyone.’

‘Is that why you turned around to look at the passing couple?’

‘Yes’ said Judd. Agnes was silent for a few minutes. ‘Jenny and Stan have asked us for cocktails and dinner on Friday evening at 6pm. Will you be home on time?’

‘Agnes I have my quarterly planning report to finish by Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, tomorrow I have a full schedule. I have cancelled all my appointments for Friday, so should I have no interruptions I will be home on time.’

Agnes snuggled up closer to Judd. ‘You are always on time even when you say that you will probably be late.’

Thursday was a hectic day for Judd and he arrived at his office an hour earlier than usual on Friday morning. About an hour later the phone rang and Judd Johnson, a rising star and a junior executive in an industrial defence contracting conglomerate, picked up the handset to answer the call. He was annoyed as he had expressly asked his newly appointed personal assistant, Mrs Smith not to let any phone calls come through to him. He was busy with an important report which had to be finished by the end of the day.

‘What is the problem Mrs. Smith?’

‘Good Morning Mr Johnson, as you can hear it is not Mrs. Smith. She was very reluctant to let me speak to you. My name is Mr Ell and it is very important that we meet today.’

The voice sounded vaguely familiar and it had a tone of authority that made Judd hesitate and before he could say anything Mr Ell continued speaking, ‘You do not know me, but I know everything I need to know about you.’ Mr Ell carried on talking and mentioned details about his wife that only Judd knew to be correct. Judd was becoming alarmed and he still had not yet spoken to his mysterious caller.

But when Mr Ell informed him about the report he was writing and suggested that he could help Judd, he could no longer contain himself. ‘Who the hell are you?’

‘I’m so sorry,’ said the voice on the other end of the line, ‘I must apologize, I did not want to cause you any alarm. I am a major shareholder in your company and I am trying to convince you of the urgency of the need for us to meet. I am, through your senior executives, very well informed about you and your work. We will meet for a private lunch at 12:30 today, suite 1108A, Waldorf Astoria, goodbye.’

Before Judd could answer, the phone went dead. Mrs Smith came on the line, ‘I’m so sorry Mr Johnson, I received a call and my display showed that it was Mr Brownlee, our CEO calling. When I answered the call, it was not Mr Brownlee, but a man who called himself Mr Ell. He persisted in speaking directly to you although I mentioned that you do not wish to be disturbed. He then said Mr Brownlee instructed him to speak to you. I had no option but to pass his call through to you.

I contacted Mr Brownlee’s personal assistant while Mr Ell was talking to you. She said that Mr Brownlee had not come in to work today.’

Judd had no idea why he received a call from a man who would only identify himself as Mr Ell. The fact that the caller knew everything there was to know about him was very disturbing to Judd. He had been tempted to discontinue the call by hanging up the phone, but he wanted to know more about Mr Ell. There was something in Mr Ell’s voice that made Judd feel threatened if he did not make the lunch date. How did the call come through on the CEO’s line?

Judd arrived precisely at 12:30pm, as requested and knocked politely on the suite's door. An immaculately dressed man of about 50 years old opened the door. ‘Come in Mr Johnson, I am delighted that you are here. I am Mr Ell but that is not my real name. I am obsessed about privacy and that is why I have invited you here for lunch. Please take a seat at the desk near the window and before we order lunch I want to tell you why we are meeting.’

Judd Johnson sat down as directed. He was feeling uneasy and was having second thoughts about staying for lunch, but his curiosity had been aroused.

‘Mr Ell I find it somewhat disturbing that you know so much about me and I know nothing about you.’

‘Good. I mean it is good that you know nothing about me and I would like to keep it that way. But if you agree to my proposal you will get to know more about me.’

‘What is the nature of your proposal?’ asked Judd.

‘Mr Johnson you are the nature of my proposal. I am a substantial but discreet investor in the company which employs you. I want us to plan a career path for you so that in a few years you will be the chief executive of your company.’

Judd Johnson was stunned. The idea was very attractive and he was aiming to be part of the executive team at some time in the distant future. He was 35 years old and he was facing many other more experienced contenders for promotion. Why was Mr Ell showing so much interest in him?

‘I'm flattered Mr Ell but why me and how was it possible for you to contact me through Mr Brownlee’s phone line?’

‘Mr Johnson, my confidential contacts in your company have identified you as having the best potential to steer your company in the direction that is in the best interests of its shareholders and more importantly, in the best interests of our country. Now that we know where we stand, shall we have lunch and discuss our next step later?’

‘Yes, thank you Mr Ell but what about the second part of my question?’

‘I have some special facilities at my disposal. All I am prepared to say is that I needed to urgently contact you.’

It was obvious to Judd that he would not get a satisfactory answer to his question. He decided to leave the matter for the time being. His curiosity about the reason for the meeting was more important.

A few hours later Judd left the hotel in high spirits. It was arranged that they would meet once a month to plan each step of his career. The information he had received in their first meeting proved invaluable and he had received excellent advice which he would include in his report. As Judd would later find out, all future meetings with Mr Ell would also prove to be valuable. Judd was also encouraged to buy as many shares of his company as he could afford. Mr Ell emphasized the point that all meetings must be kept strictly confidential.

He phoned Agnes to inform her that his report was top priority and was taking longer than planned. Judd said he would definitely be about two hours late. As agreed with Mr Ell he did not discuss the day’s events with Agnes or anyone else.

After a year Judd was promoted to the next level by outperforming many of the contenders for the position. It was at this point that Mr Ell invited Judd and his wife to join him at his magnificent country estate in upper New York State for a long summer weekend. Mr Ell also revealed his real identity to Judd, but requested him to continue to address him as Mr Ell. Judd realized immediately that Mr Ell was part of the USA president's special advisors team as his picture had never been published.

It was an enjoyable weekend, attended only by two other families who appeared to be related to Mr Ell. The house was impressive and elegant, built in an old colonial style. The rooms were large and the high ceilings emphasized the spaciousness. Much of the furniture appeared to be exceptionally well cared for antiques. Surrounding the house was a covered balcony. The rooms on the northern side of the house overlooked the extensive grounds which reached some distance to a private lake. A small jetty and a boathouse on the shore of the lake could be seen from the house. The visits to Mr Ell's country estate increased in frequency and on occasions when his wife did not accompany him Judd met some of the country's top defence members and on one occasion the President of the USA himself. At all times he was sworn to secrecy as to who he had met and the subjects under discussion.

The advice and help Judd received from Mr Ell was such that within nine years he was appointed chief executive and had become a major share-holder in the company which by now had grown into a leading defence contracting company.

Judd and Agnes celebrated his appointment as chief executive and their twentieth wedding anniversary at the same restaurant. In spite of being offered the best table in the restaurant, Judd insisted on having the same table they had being sitting at for the last ten years.

‘I never thought that ten years ago you would one day be CEO of your company. I love you more than ever and it would have not made any difference if you were still a junior executive today,’ said Agnes as they wished for another twenty wonderful years. This was not to be.

Horatio Samuels was a tall gaunt looking man with sandy coloured hair and a ruddy complexion. If one passed him by in the street he would probably not be noticed. And yet he was one of the most brilliant neurologists and medical scientists in the world. He rarely left the neurological clinic or the adjacent research laboratory where he worked, conveniently located not far from a private university in New Mexico. He had worked for ALACAREC since he was recruited from Harvard twenty years earlier. ALACAREC was short for Alpha Laboratories & Life Care Corporation, a national conglomerate which specialised in advanced medical care with over one hundred clinics and research laboratories throughout the country. From its headquarters in New Mexico the corporation directed research into developing new technology, pharmaceutical products and surgical procedures in the area of neurological treatments.

ALACAREC hospitals were renowned for the high rate of successful treatment of patients with brain damage, whether through injuries, genetic problems or health induced through strokes or dementia. The laboratory arm had successfully developed leading technology for identifying areas of the brain associated with certain motor skills and senses, particularly with regard to sight, hearing and smell. Horatio Samuels was a highly skilled brain surgeon and outstanding neurological specialist. He had also developed highly advanced electronic neurological monitoring and control equipment. Horatio had through the use of carefully positioned electrodes and leading edge computer applications induced patients to perform functions of which they had lost the ability, through injury or otherwise. He was according to his CEO the ultimate miracle man.

Horatio had an outstanding group of computer specialists specifically dedicated to creating software for his medical electronic equipment. This team was headed by Andrew Hadley the brightest member of the team. Andrew was amazed when he began working for Horatio a few years earlier by Horatio’s awesome knowledge and ability in the field of computers. Their working relationship was excellent and Horatio would explain what he wanted and sometimes even how it could be achieved. Andrew and his team would provide the programs and more often than not, Horatio would personally make a few ‘adjustments as he termed it’ to improve the functionality of the software.

It was not surprising that one day, Andrew was called into Horatio’s office to discuss a new idea. ‘Mr Hadley, would you consider taking part in a memory enhancement experiment?’

‘Yes I would but I need to know more about what you have in mind,’ replied Andrew.

‘I presume that you have no knowledge of the Hungarian language and that you do not understand or speak the language?’ asked Horatio.

‘I have not the faintest knowledge of Hungarian.’

‘Mr Hadley, my mother was Hungarian born and she taught me the language from a very young age. What I would like to do is teach you to speak and understand Hungarian via a memory enhancement experiment. This will entail using the equipment I have developed and the software you and I have developed.’

‘Dr Samuels, with all due respect, I am not happy about being part of an experiment which involves my brain being subjected to electronic experimentation.’

‘Mr Hadley you have seen the results of some of my work. The computer programs you have developed for me have greatly assisted in the success. I can assure you there will be no side effects or health issues. The only possibility is that the ability to speak and understand Hungarian may be temporary. I say that because unless you practise speaking and are exposed to someone conversing with you in Hungarian on a continuous basis for an extended period after the experiment there is no way that your memory will retain your newly acquired ability. Please think about my offer and please do not discuss this with anyone.’

Horatio politely excused himself and suggested they meet again the next day at 9:00am.

Andrew Hadley pondered the proposition all day and finally decided that he would accept Dr Samuels’ offer.

They met at 9:00am in Dr Samuel’s office and Andrew explained that he was somewhat surprised by the suggestion, but the more he thought it over the more attractive he found the