“It must be a byproduct of the gravitational wave. We’ll have to study it.”
Manos holds his rifle high. “What if it’s a giant meteor flying towards us? What good is clean energy if we all die in a fiery hell? You’re responsible for the consequences of this technology and I’ll make sure you go to jail for it.”
A military transport plane lands vertically on the field and its hull opens. Fifteen soldiers emerge brandishing guns and the lieutenant in charge approaches Manos. “Are these the criminals?”
“Yes,” Manos says, pointing at Beth, “She’s the ringleader.”
“We’ll take them to Las Condes,” the solider says as he lifts Beth off the ground. “There’s a military tribunal there. What’s the charge?”
“Theft of company data crucial for the War. I have the evidence to prove it.”
“We’ll take them to trial.”
Manos grits his teeth. “Lock them up.”
The officers pick up Beth, Austin, and the twelve other A.I. team members and escort them towards the plane. They walk single file with their hands cuffed.
Manos receives a call and answers it in his smartglasses. The CIA deputy director appears in a navy suit. “Gareth, what’s happening?”
“We have a situation, Manos.”
“It can’t be worse than mine.”
Gareth peers around. “Where are you?”
“I’m in Livermore. We just had a massive blast and earthquake, and now there’s a meteor heading our way!”
Gareth’s eyes widen. “A meteor?”
“Yes, a giant bright light.”
“Does it look like a star?”
“Yes.”
Gareth laughs. “That’s not a meteor.”
“What?”
“That’s exactly why I’m calling, Manos. I just spoke with two astronauts on the USS Hawkeye. They’ve flown near the object and discovered a wormhole connecting to a new solar system.”
Manos looks up at the sky. “It’s not a meteor? Then what the hell am I looking at?”
“That’s a star somewhere in the universe.”
Manos looks away and shuts his eyes in pain. “You mean to tell me there’s a portal above us connecting to another sun?”
“Yes! And here’s the amazing part—the astronauts detected a planet on the other side.”
Manos jolts upright. “A planet?”
“Yes. It has blue oceans and ice caps.”
“Does it have oxygen?”
“We don’t know. I ordered them to return home. An opportunity like this must be carefully planned.”
Manos puts down his rifle and sits. “Gareth, I take it you’re not calling with bad news?”
“Quite the opposite. This is a rare circumstance and the prospects are extraordinary. There’s a new world a stone’s throw away!”
Manos’s brow relaxes. “What if there’s gold and silver there?”
“Imagine if it contains oxygen or fresh water. We could lay stake to a virgin planet!”
“New Earth?” Manos’s eyes widen. “We can take it all for ourselves. No one knows about this!”
Gareth snickers. “Yeah, let China colonize Mars for all I care. If we do this right, we can clinch full control of a planet that looks just like ours. Imagine the possibilities…”
Manos hoots. “We’ll definitely be great again.”
“Listen, we have to be strategic and tread carefully. The Russians and Chinese must not know about this. We have to keep our findings confidential.”
“But can’t they see the planet for themselves?”
“No, it’s only visible from space. I repeat, don’t tell anyone about this.”
“My lips are sealed, Gareth. What do we do next?”
Several seconds of silence ensue. “How would you like to be the first explorer of New Earth?”
Manos’s jaw drops. “You want me to go up there?”
“Yes. There are too many spies in the CIA. If I announce this to my team, it will leak immediately. I trust GoldRock to keep it secret.”
“That’s very noble of you.” Manos rubs his chin and stares in contemplation. “Thanks to you, I do have a Falcon 12 in New Mexico.”
“Yes, I gave that you as payment for one of our missions. Didn’t I say the rocket would be useful someday?”
“It’s sitting idle in Spaceport America. You want me to fly it through the wormhole?”
“Would you?”
Manos grins. “Absolutely. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m honored, Gareth. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. I want a detailed account of your discoveries. Bring back samples from the planet.”
“You got it.”
“We also need to understand why this portal opened up in the first place.”
Manos stands and heads for his chopper. “I know the reason. Andrews is behind it.”
“Bethany Andrews?”
“Yes. Apparently, she developed the first functional fusion reactor here in Livermore. We had an enormous blast when it went online. The star appeared right afterward.”
Gareth leans forward. “You mean her nuclear project was a success? That explains everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oil prices are down $10,000 per barrel, Manos! Take a look at natural gas and coal commodities. Fossil fuel prices are lower across the board. We are scratching our heads wondering what’s going on.”
Manos stops walking. “You mean she’s telling the truth?”
“Apparently so. Her reactor is filling up our energy reserves.”
“I threw her in jail just now. I thought she was lying to my face.”
“That’s a mistake! Let her go, Manos. We need her on our side.”
“But she’s an anti-war liberal. You want me to free her?”
“Yes. If Andrews has solved nuclear fusion, the President will want to speak with her.”
“Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“Please do. And hurry, Manos, get to the Falcon 12. A new world awaits!”
“I’m heading to New Mexico now.”
“Good luck!”
Manos disconnects and approaches Felina. “Get our helicopter ready. We’re going on a flight.”
“Yes, Mr. Kharon. Where are we headed?”
“Spaceport America.”
“To your rocket, sir?”
“Yes. We’re about to go on a wild ride.”
Copter blades start to spin and kick up dust. Outside the Livermore Laboratory, a steady flow of electricity runs from the reactor through the heavy cables and into the heartland of the country, powering a world in desperate need of energy.
Manos sees the prisoners marching through the dirt field. Soldiers escort them single file onto the military transport plane. He turns to his assistant. “Felina, send a message to the lieutenant over there. Tell him to release Andrews and her team. They are free to go.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. There’s no need to take them to Las Condes. They are no longer under arrest.”
“I will let him know immediately.”
“Now let’s get out of here.”
He boards and buckles in for the flight to New Mexico.
32.
AUSTIN STANDS handcuffed about to enter a military transport plane. Kwame and Fei wait in single file behind him. As he prepares to board, the lieutenant arrives and yells to the group. “Uncuff them!”
“What was that, sir?” a soldier asks.
“The captors are to be discharged.”
The officer shrugs. “If you insist…” He frees Austin and gives him back his smartglasses. “You can go.”
Austin stumbles. “…what’s going on? Why are you releasing us?”
“Get lost before we change our minds.”
He turns and races through the dirt field towards the laboratory, confused by the intense luminescence of the second sun. He looks back.