Tilting the Solar Windmill

Eight o'clock Thursday morning found Beth, Andy and Tom boarding one of Chickadee Aviation’s Chieftains – this one bound for Fairbanks. The weather had warmed to a pleasant ten below and was accompanied by a moderate snowfall the night before. This morning it was clear and promised to remain so for the next few days. Temperatures were expected to rise to above the freezing mark, which would make for slippery highways and a longer and more hazardous trip. Rather than risk injury and to save time they decided it would be prudent to fly instead.

Flying over the Yukon in a small plane on a clear day is a wonderful experience. The vast clean wilderness sprawls beneath you as you soar over some of the newest, largest and most spectacular mountains on the continent. The trip between Whitehorse and Fairbanks takes you from the Yukon River valley over the Miners Range of mountains into the rich Dezdeash Valley and then over the pristine beauty of Kluane National Park within the St. Elias Mountains.

Kluane - Incredible jagged mountains with great tons of fresh white gleaming snow cresting them. Windblown bare black rock contrasting the brilliance of the snow in the foreground and a clear robin's egg blue sky for as far as the eye can see.

Then there are the glaciers, ancient masses of ice filling the deep valleys within the sharp and craggy St. Elias range. Bluish-green, cobalt, turquoise and varied shades of white are all blended to create a rippled effect across the fissures and crevasses that pattern the surface.

Exposed dirt, gravel and mud that has traveled unknown miles from where it was embedded in the ice, shows itself as smudges across the expanse of the great ice sheets. Crevasses miles wide and just as deep, exposed to the open air for the first time in millennia beckoning to release secrets of the past from their prison of ice.

Explorers of the region took pride in naming the great glaciers when they discovered their magnificence and beauty. Seward, Hubbard, Fisher and Lowell to name a few.

Tom loved to explore glaciers when he could, which had not been for some years now. He was awestruck with everything about them to the point of naming his company in their honor. In his office he displayed fossils and bones of animals long extinct that he had found while exploring their secrets. His efforts in the streams and creeks with a gold pan had produced some nice small nuggets that were turned into a watchband he now wore daily.

"See these nuggets?" he said to Beth indicating his watch, "I picked these up about twenty miles in that direction, right at the base of the ice."

"I've always wanted to do that" she said pressing her nose against the window of the plane. "I never got around to it though."

"I've never fished in Granite Lake yet either!" Andy remarked, "Looks like it will be a time before I get a chance to." he said sadly.

"It makes you realize how many things we take for granted. How much there is to see, right here in our own backyard so to speak. You know, our secretary Linda tries to go see everything she can around here in the summer. The places she's gone and the things she's done and seen!" Tom said with envy.

"To be young and single again." Andy piped up, looked at Beth with a smile and said, "To be young again I meant."

"I know what you meant dear." was her chuckled reply.

There was not a lot of talking during the trip as each of them looking out their respective window with their own thoughts, interests and emotions about what they saw.

Sightings of moose, sheep and other animals were pointed out to the others when identified, breaking the drone of the aircraft engines.

Descending into the Fairbanks airport was a smooth ride, providing them with a good view of their destination, the University of Alaska campus.

They thanked the pilot for a most enjoyable trip as they collected their baggage from the cargo compartments of the aircraft.

"You going to go rent a car first or check in to the hotel." Andy asked as they walked to the airport terminal.

"We're not going to do anything till after we go through customs." Beth said.

"That's right! We're in the states now. I forgot. I mean, it looks the same here as it does at home, it's like we flew to Dawson or something."

His face paled as he realized what the customs agents might think of the tackle box he had in his left hand. "Tom what are we going to say about this?"

"No problem. I phoned ahead saying you were bringing a scientific instrument to the university for a test, and asked if we would we need any special permits or anything."

"Seems we have to show our hand a bit Andy, but they won't know what it is." Tom said confidently.

"There's Stan!" Beth said as she waved through the window into the airport terminal.

They walked through the door into the customs area. There were two uniformed inspectors waiting at the typical long table seen at all international airports.

"Good morning." said the inspector as he scanned Tom’s passport. “Business or pleasure?”

“Business” said Tom “We are here to confer with some scientists at the university.”

Then came the usual litany about citizenship, how long is your stay and the other questions that allow you to pass into another country.

Andy was last in line. Tom waited at the end of the table as Beth finished being processed.

"That is the devise I phoned about bringing to the University for some tests." Tom said pleasantly.

"What is it?" asked the younger of the two agents.

"It doesn't have a name yet, but what it does is create energy from the solar wind." Andy said like he wanted them to ask for more information.

The two guards looked at Andy like he was possibly suffering from some malady.

"It checks out here." said one of them referring to a clipboard on the desk, "Doctor Rightly from the campus said he was expecting them and if there's any problems to call him….he called again this morning and said to page him if there was any problems, so I guess he’s in the terminal somewhere," he turned and looked at the other inspector. “Whaddaya think?” They both shrugged at each other, the taller of the two then said, ”Okay, you’re good to go.”

Tom finally took a breath after what seemed like hours.

"Welcome to Alaska, have a nice day." said the young agent to Andy.

"Thank you. You have a nice day too." he smiled.

The three travelers went through the door into the main terminal.

As the door closed the two inspectors exchanged glances before the older one said, "All his dogs aren't on the same harness line."

Whereby the other responded, "All the buttons aren't done up on his jammies."

"He's down a quart."

"His elevator don't go all the way to the top."

This exchange lasted for a while longer, as do most things with people who perform monotonous jobs.

The terminal building in Fairbanks is a beautiful structure. Inside are very detailed murals of life in the north as was seen through the eyes of the aboriginal people many years before the white man arrived. Beth had admired them for about an hour the last time she was here thanks to bad weather and a delayed flight.

Stan was waiting at the bottom of the escalator.

After introductions had been made with Stan, Tom walked over to the Budget desk to rent a car.

Beth, Andy and Stan were sitting and chatting as Tom came back.

"Got a Celebrity. I'll go find it and come back here to pick you up."

They all agreed to this and decided to wait outside the terminal as the sun was shining brightly.

Tom found the green Chevy with no problem and started it up and set about scraping ice off the windshield.

Stan seems like a nice enough guy. Tom thought as he waited.

Stan was closing in on fifty-five. He was about six feet tall and of average build. He had a thick crop of jet black hair that didn't seem to like the part it was given. His eyes gave you the impression that Stan was a very happy-go-lucky kind of guy. His credentials were impressive and he was well respected for the work he did.

Tom had taken the liberty of checking out Mr. Rightly just to be sure.

Tom saw them coming from the terminal at a relaxed walk.

"We decided to walk over, it being such a nice day." Andy explained.

Stan informed he had to get back to the campus for a meeting and would be waiting for them there after lunch.

"Where to first?" Tom asked when all were sitting comfortably in the car.

"Let's go for a quick tour of the city then check into the hotel." Beth suggested.

Andy said "Sounds good to me."

Following Beth's instructions Tom drove around Fairbanks looking at all the sights such as they were at the end of winter before the tourists were in bloom.

They then checked into the hotel and had a light lunch. Over lunch they discussed the action plan one more time.

"Andy you're in charge. If you want to demonstrate the machine - go for it,” said Tom over his cup of coffee. “But let's take our time to ensure that we can get the proper endorsements from the people there. Okay?"

"I want you to tell me if you think its okay first, Beth you too. I'm not much good at seeing the salesman side of things." Andy said earnestly.

"Okay, if any of us want a conference with the others let’s say something like..." Tom trailed off thinking about what would not sound ridiculous in a situation like this.

"How about if we just cough three times or something?" Beth offered.

"Good idea!" Tom said. "God I'm nervous about this, Andy how do you keep so cool?"

"My job is already done, its built." he smiled broadly.

Tom laughed at this and said, "You're right, I guess it's just being here after thinking about it for so long, judgment day and all that."

Beth raised her coffee cup and said, "A toast to the beginning of the future, and my wonderful husband."

"To the job ahead." Andy said.

"Yes to both!" Tom said.

One thirty found them at the entrance to the labs used by the atmospheric department. Stan had brought them here after meeting them at the main foyer when they arrived.

"Lyle Kenner is the fellow that can help you with what you want to know. He's the director for this department."

"What does he have in store for us today?" Beth asked.

"He'll show you around and try and answer your questions. Don't forget to ask to see the new cameras he's got. They're his pride and joy. Oh, here he comes now."

Doctor Lyle Kenner was squeaking down the hall to where they stood. He was carrying an armful of paperwork that threatened to spill at any moment.

"Lyle, I'd like you to meet some friends of mine." Stan said.

"Here let me give you a hand with those." Beth said reaching for some papers that were ready to fall. "I'm Beth Beckitt."

"Thanks, Pleased to meet you. Let's go inside so I can put this stuff down." he replied in a deep soft voice.

Once inside the lab he placed the paperwork on a table and turned with his hand extended, "I'm Lyle Kenner."

Beth, Tom and Andy took turns introducing themselves.

Lyle was a sixty-one year old professor who was in love with his job. His fascination of the cosmos and astronomy had steered him from his youth to where he was today. The galaxies, relative physics, the big bang expansion and other related topics he could speak long and accurately on.

He was a slight man with thinning white hair and a large white moustache, which reminded Beth of Mark Twain. He was dressed in a pair of grey slacks, a collared white shirt and an Irish green cardigan sweater. The most outstanding features of his apparel were the bright white high-top Nike sneakers he wore and a large pin, shaped like a comet on his lapel.

"Nice comet you have there." Andy said obviously staring at it.

"Thank you. It was a gift from a student of mine." Lyle answered.

"He's being modest." Stan said, "He got that from a student who found a new comet because of his help. She named it after him too!"

Lyle blushed, "She would have found it anyway. She is very dedicated."

"Just like you?" Stan joked.

"At any rate, let's begin shall we." Lyle said as he relaxed a bit more.

"You all know how the Aurora is produced I assume?"

They all nodded the affirmative.

"Good. Let's start there. Let's walk this way and I'll show you what we do here."

He led them to a large hall providing a narrative explanation of the Aurora effect with various text and graphics displayed on large panels. The illustrations showed the Sun with great sweeps of luminous fog representing the visible solar wind enveloping our planet.

The Earth was pictured with the magnetic field superimposed to show the patterns created by the solar wind as it reacts to the Earth’s poles. It was very nicely done. Rich colors and exquisite detail. The pictures were similar to those wonderfully detailed images taken by the astronauts to show what home looks like from the other side of the atmosphere.

Other panels showed the Aurora Borealis in its splendor. Huge photographs with extremely high resolution that indicated a substantial investment in camera equipment.

"These are beautiful!" Tom exclaimed admiring the photos.

"Thank you. They were captured with a new acquisition to the campus. I'll show it to you in a few moments." Lyle was visibly proud of what he did.

"Do you do any research into the electrical power in the Aurora?" Andy asked like any tourist would.

"Yes. We're conducting studies into how much power is up there. All we know now is that it is in the trillions of watts."

"How do you hope to measure it?" Andy asked.

"It's a process that requires a large antenna made from wire mesh to be spread out over a field or pasture. This is connected to a rather sophisticated electrical computer which measures the changes in the voltage, flux and gauss and some other indicators. We are assisting NASA with a laser-scanning experiment that will hopefully give us more information." the latter he said with a touch of envy.

For the next forty five minutes he showed them data collecting methods they were using and experiments conducted a few years ago using Barium released from a missile to increase the visibility of the phenomena. He explained the Poker Flat Rocket Facility located just a few miles away and the role it played in their studies.

"Oxygen produces the green color, while Nitrogen produces the pink and red colors in the display of the Aurora. Those photons are always being produced, it's always present. It's just that the sun in the daytime makes it impossible to distinguish in the sky because of the wavelength of the sunlight."

He led them to a table with a sophisticated looking camera resting in a blue foam filled transport case.

"This is the camera which produced those photographs you were admiring earlier." he said as he gingerly picked it up from its resting place.

He talked about film speeds and shutter apertures, filters and the importance of dry air to keep the lens free of fogging. He continued on about the clear domes they used to house the camera while shooting, and the procedures they followed to get the best detail possible. He could have talked more but sensed the attention of his audience drifting away.

"Anyway, that's about it. Any questions?" he asked hopefully.

Is there anyone doing research into harnessing the power up there?" Tom asked.

"NASA did some experiments awhile back, but didn't have much success. They hope to gain more data with this laser series coming up. There's also a Swedish scientist doing research on this. He's published some papers and proposed an experiment for data collecting but hasn't come up with anything more than speculation at this point I'm afraid. The University of Saskatchewan is doing a series of experiments on phase and voltage dynamics but they have nothing new as of yet."

Tom's eyes met Andy's. Beth looked from one to the other.

Tom's eyebrows went up in a Now what kind of look.

"Who's the leader in this research right now?" Beth asked Lyle.

"Why, I believe we are." he answered after a pause.

"I can certainly see why." Beth said admirably.

Dr. Kenner’s face reflected the compliment with a nice pink blush.

"I have done a bit of research you may find interesting I think," Andy said. "Do you mind if I go get an apparatus from the car?"

"Not at all." his interest picked up. "Do you need some help?"

"No thanks, Tom can give me a hand. We'll be back in a minute."

"I'll stay here. I want to look at these photos some more," Beth said.

The two men walked out to the parking lot.

"So you think it's a go?" Tom asked.

"Yeah I think so. I'll know after doing the light show for him."

"Okay. He seems like he's well connected with the boys from NASA and Goddard." Tom said, "Did you see the certificates and honors hanging on the wall of his office?"

"Yeah I looked at some of them, pretty impressive."

Tom opened the trunk. Andy reached down and grasped the handle of the tackle box. "I feel like I could use a couple of drinks right now."

"I know what you mean. It's like getting laid for the first time." Tom acknowledged.

"Let's go do it." Andy steeled himself and began walking back to the lab.

They found Beth listening to Stan talking about how there was not enough funding to do the research they would like to do, “ But we should be thankful I guess. The way the economy is going right now it could be much worse for us."

Lyle looked with curiosity at the tackle box Andy was carrying.

Andy was nervous, it showed.

He began, "I had an idea awhile back after watching a program about the Aurora. A lot of the production was done here."

"You mean the Planet Earth Series on the Discovery Channel?" Stan asked.

"That's the one." Andy smiled.

"Best thing we've done in a long time. It gave great exposure to the lower forty-eight on what we're doing up here." he said. "It has created a much larger group of support and interest in our work which has somewhat influenced our funding levels."

Andy indicated the tackle box. "After seeing that program, I got to thinking on the way generators work and the way the solar wind modulated flux," he emphasized the word, "...into something else like light or magnetics and how they shift back and forth between states. After trying a few things that didn't work - I came up with this."

Andy looked at Stan then Lyle to make sure they were paying attention.

They were.

He pushed the switch.

Lyle's eyes bugged out, and his moustache seemed to bristle at what he saw.

Stan stared fixedly at the same pale blue light dancing over the polished aluminum webs on top of the tackle box.

Beth was smiling too, only she was looking at the two scientists.

"That's incredible!" Stan exclaimed. "How does it do that?"

"It's a secret." Andy said quietly and smiled.

"This is amazing." Stan continued, "It's just like the real thing."

Dr. Kenner, who had remained silently staring at the light turned his face towards Andy and asked, "It IS the real thing isn't it?"

Andy just nodded.

The lab was silent of all conversation for a few moments as they gazed at the portable indoor Aurora.

Tom watched the two scientists absorbed in the miniature version of what they had been studying for years. Wait till they see the rest! He thought suppressing a snicker.

Andy wasn't sure how he felt. At first he felt proud and excited, but now he felt like he was waiting for a teacher to finish grading his science project. He was a little nervous to say the least.

"My congratulations sir! This is a most remarkable discovery!" Lyle extended his hand to Andy. "This will advance research tremendously. I would suspect little difficulty for you in acquiring support for further work."

"Thank you." Andy said shaking the others hand. Suddenly he felt like he had been given an 'A' on his project, he was elated! He nodded to Tom.

Tom spoke up, "Gentlemen, I believe that there are many questions that you have. Therefore I think it would be best if we could retire to more comfortable surroundings and discuss this at our leisure. Cause believe me, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

"What do you mean?" asked Stan.

"I'll show you." Andy said turning off the fascinating light. "Could I use that fan over there to demonstrate?"

"Certainly!" said Stan, who eagerly fetched the large fan for Andy. It was about 24 inches in diameter and mounted on a tall four-wheeled stand. The white power cable dangled behind.

"What do you want me to do with it? Hold it against the light? The cord isn't long enough to reach the wall socket. Could you move your device closer this way?"

"No no, I want you to plug it in here." Andy said as he turned the tackle box around to expose the AC receptacle.

Lyle's moustache bristled again and his eyes widened.

Slowly, tentatively Stan pushed the fan plug into the socket.

Andy flipped the switch again...the lights came on...but not the fan.

"Turn the fan switch on." Andy said to the expectant Doctor.

“Oh! Sorry." he said as he turned the rotary switch to HI.

The fan started to rotate, the light dimmed a little, then brightened and the fan came up to speed and held steady in about two seconds.

"Shit!" said Stan, "Oops, sorry Beth."

"That's okay Stan I said the same thing!" she laughed.

Dr. Kenner looked like he was deep in an overdose of ecstasy.

"Indeed, we do have much to talk about." he said watching the fan.

They retired to the comfort of the faculty lounge and discussed the mechanics of how the machine operated. They were careful to reveal little of some of the more amazing aspects of its ability and its construction.

The scientists agreed that the machine’s operating secrets should be protected from the lay person.

For three hours they discussed impacts the machine would have and the many benefits it would provide.

"So what are you going to do now?" Stan wanted to know.

"Well, that's why we're here." Tom explained. "We would like you gentlemen to announce this discovery to the world."

They were for the third time today, completely stunned.

"This is a very great honor." Lyle said, "Of course we'll do anything we can to help."

"What do you want us to do? Write a paper on the operation or something?" Stan asked.

"We were hoping for something a little more dramatic actually. Something like a news conference." Tom said. "You know - a major scientific breakthrough type of thing."

"Well you're in luck, there's a documentary film crew here doing a report on Mount Spurr's volcanic activity. They were in the cafeteria at lunch time."

"Perfect! Let's see if we can set up a demonstration for them." Tom said as he raised his glass.

Andy woke up with an idea how his machine could be used for space travel.

Beth was up earlier because of discomfort she experienced sleeping in the hotel bed.

"Morning dear." she said as Andy sat up.

"Morning." he mumbled. "Could you pass me my notebook please?"

Beth knew Andy did not want to talk just yet. He would often write in his book after waking up and was a little cranky if disturbed. She fetched it from the dresser for him.

He sat cross legged on the bed writing for about ten minutes. He then put down his book, got up and kissed his wife good morning.

"I think I have a way of powering a space craft that would reduce the size of it about three hundred percent." he said with an air of amusement.

"How do you do that?" Beth asked quizzically.

"Well the machine could be setup so that..."

"No, No, I mean how can you sleep all night and wake up thinking about stuff like....rocket science?" she snickered at the term.

"I dunno...I just...think about it." Andy struggled to answer.

"Well you keep doing it, for as long as you want." she kissed him on his cheek as they embraced. "I'm very proud of you." she said softly into his ear.

"Ready for breakfast?" he asked blushing.

"How about brunch instead?" she leered.

They went back to bed.

Tom had spent most of the night talking to reporters that never seemed to run out of questions. The demonstrations were so popular that the machine ran for six hours without a break. One of the camera men quipped about never running out of batteries again like his camera was about to do.

Many drinks were bought for Tom and when he woke up his head felt somewhat larger than the day before.

He had called it a night before he lost his caution and risked talking of things better not mentioned to the press. So his headache was not as bad as it could have been and his credibility was undamaged.

His mind started to replay some of the evenings conversations...."So what does it cost to manufacturer?...Is it save for radiation?...What does it run on?...What will they cost?...Is that man really the inventor?...What do you think the governments will do?" He smiled at this.

Standing up gave him a dizzy sensation that he hoped a shower would cure. He stumbled into the bathroom and began his morning routine.

After shaving and dressing, Tom ordered coffee from room service. He had phone calls to make.

"...it just keeps going and going and going..." The rabbit and his drum faded to black. Computer generated graphics of a clock face with rapidly rotating hands filled the screen.

"Around the world in thirty minutes, this is CNN Headline News.

“Good morning, I'm Andrea Sparling.

A major scientific discovery could soon provide us with electricity from the atmosphere...Pam Burton has the story in Alaska..."

The screen changed to show a young raven-haired woman of about twenty-five years talking into a microphone. The graphics at the bottom of the screen labeled her as truly being Pamela Burton in Fairbanks Alaska. In the background was an exterior shot of the University buildings, just before sundown on a clear spring evening.

She began; "In the atmosphere surrounding the Earth there is a vast amount of electrical energy. For many years scientists have tried to harness this power for our use. Many said it was impossible to do and that the power was negligible. Today, a self-employed repairman from the Yukon Territory has proven them wrong."

The press conference footage began showing the fishing tackle box with the enchanting blue light dancing on the top.

Pam was doing the voice over. "...Doctors Lyle Kenner and Stan Rightly of the University of Alaska campus at Fairbanks confirm the discovery saying this is one of the most significant scientific developments in centuries..."

The camera panned to the right to show Lyle Kenner in a dark blue suit standing at a podium. "...It is our opinion that this discovery will change the world in so many positive ways...."

The camera continued to track until it stopped at Andy and Beth. They were standing side by side holding hands. Beth was smiling easily and Andy looked like a wax figure from a museum. Tom could be seen in the background talking to another reporter. The graphics at the bottom of the screen read, 'Andrew Beckitt, Inventor.'

The television continued with B-roll footage of the northern lights as Dr. Kenner voiced over the significance of this discovery, "...These devices will provide enough free energy for the entire world that will never end and does not pollute in any way…."

This drew applause from the people assembled off camera.

"....I'm Pam Burton in Alaska." the story concluded.

He surveyed the library. He had never been in this house before. In the past, meetings were held in the boardroom of an office building in the financial core of the city. This was the home of the owner and CEO, Mr. Gustav Millar, for whom he was waiting.

He walked around the room, the walls that were not shelved with books were covered in a beautiful rich teak paneling, the thick carpet and curtains were blood red. There were twelve high back leather chairs arranged around the large opulent wooden table, each place had a leather-bound blotter and banker’s lamp waiting patiently for the next meeting.

He looked at the paintings on the walls.

"Not bad." he mused, "Originals; that one's definitely a Rembrandt, there's a Lautrec and a faded ink sketch that looked like a Da Vinci, not bad at all."

The room spoke of big money and big decisions by powerful men.

Of course he already knew this. He had been employed by these men for the past two years. They paid well, listened to the whole idea and supported the decision to the end, even when things went sideways.

He didn't know what they wanted him to do this time. He had packed his travel bag and flown in overnight from New Orleans immediately after he received the text message summoning him.

He glanced at his watch; twenty minutes ago he was watching the sun rise on the downtown core of Houston from the corporate jet they had sent for him.

"Alan - Good morning!" said the man at the door.

The speaker was a frail-looking elderly man. He had silver-white hair and bright blue eyes that looked like they were better suited to a seventeen-year old. He was dressed in a luxurious bathrobe that matched the red carpet under his bare feet.

"It's such a lovely morning, let's get out of this dark place and go to the kitchen. Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No sir - that would be nice." He followed the man to the kitchen.

The elderly man regarded the younger one as they walked down the hallway. "So, have you been well?"

"Yes sir, very well thank you, and yourself?"

"Oh the usual arthritis and other aches and pains, but only at times. Tell me, how do you like New Orleans?"

"I love it. Everyday there's something new to see and do, still it’s not the same since Katrina."

"I know, I know, I spent many years after the war in New Orleans. That city was alive with excitement and diversions." he said happily. “I hope it gets restored to how it used to be in all ways.”

They came into the kitchen. It was bright white and gleaming with the sun shining in through the huge windows.

"Would eggs and sausage be good? I think I've got some grapefruit here too....would you like some?"

"Yes sir, thank you that would be good."

"Let's cut out the 'yes sir' bullshit shall we Alan?" he said as he stooped to look into the voluminous refrigerator. "You're about the only one I know that still thinks I'm more than a bank account."

"I'm sure there are more than me that think so." he offered.

"There was, but as I get older I find that most people I talk to during a day only concern themselves with money...usually my money. I want to talk business with you of course, that's why I sent for you. But for now let's talk of other things." The old man looked at Al Tanner with pure undiluted envy.

"Sure. Let me help you." he said taking off his jacket. "What kind of sausage do you have there?"

"It's Portuguese sausage. Oddly enough, it's made in Hawaii." The old man placed it on the counter and removed a frying pan from the rack on the wall. "I could eat pounds of this stuff, but it gives me the farts something fierce."

"Why is it the things we really enjoy come back to haunt us somehow?" Al asked with a smile.

"Its part of the price you have to pay. Look at me! I've got more money than I know what to do with. But part of the price of having all that money is more than I imagined it would ever be." He said turning on the gas range.

"How do you mean Gus?"

The old man turned to look at Al at the sound of his name.

"You're the first person besides my doctor that's called me by my name in months."

"What do people call you?"

"Oh they call me Mr. Millar, or Sir like you were doing, nobody calls me by my name anymore. Bunch of chicken-shits!"

They continued with making breakfast. As they did, they talked about life in New Orleans, what it was like to be single in today’s world and how dating women is still similar regardless of hem-lengths, sexual freedom and fifty years of social culture shift. They spoke of the hot new cars out of Detroit and Germany and the coming energy crunch and who would survive the coming changes, politics and the marketplace's self-destructive pace for growth.

Gus enjoyed the young man’s company. It gave him a feeling of youth to be around him. It had been years since he had enjoyed a friendly breakfast with someone he could talk with about anything besides business. He wanted it to last a while longer.

Al was thirty-eight years old and was considered very good looking by Gus' female staff, some girls in the office said "hunk" was the modern definition. He was self-employed as a trouble-shooter and researcher for any who could afford him. His past two years had been exclusively bought by Gus' firm.

Alan J. Tanner had received his training in a seldom talked about section of Uncle Sam's training academy and was now a 'free agent' so to speak.

"Tell me, have you heard the news about the energy machine that's been invented?" Gus asked.

"No I haven't...What is it?"

"That's what I want you to find out." He looked with a sly glance at Al. "The fellow that invented it lives up in the Yukon. Apparently the machine transforms energy from the atmosphere somehow. Hell of an achievement if it's true. Of course you realize what my interest in this machine is?"

"It could threaten the oil industry?" Al answered.

"Possibly. But aside from that, this machine, if it in fact is what they say it is, is going to create a sensation in the investment market and the future of the whole world. Everybody and his dog are going to want in on this. I want you to find out more about it."

Al thought, The Yukon! I've always wanted to go there. What a perfect opportunity!

"What do you know about it so far?" Al asked, expecting the standard file of information he was usually provided prior to a job.

"Not much really." the older man said as he got up. "Come along, the only real information so far is a report from CNN that aired this morning. A friend gave me an advance copy of the story last night."

They walked back down the hallway to the library.

Al was thinking how well this man must be connected to get a copy of a news story before it went for broadcast.

Gus sat down in a high back chair facing the large screen television. He pressed a button on the remote control at his side and the screen came to life with the Pam Burton feature on Andy and his machine. There were other parts that had been edited out from the general broadcast that were included on this recording.

"That's all that's known right now." Gus concluded. "The envelope on the table there is for you." he said pointing to a large manila envelope.

Al walked over and picked it up. It contained ten thousand dollars in used Canadian bills. There was a paper transcript of the CNN report and a thumb-drive video copy and a very short incomplete profile on Andrew Beckitt and Tom Pierce. There was also a current Yukon telephone directory and other information from the Chamber of Commerce.

"I trust you have everything else you may need?"

Al 's mind began to outline what he had to do in the short term.

"Yes. Do I follow the regular procedures for reporting what I find?"

"I think they will suffice. Davis will drive you to the airport. There's a ticket waiting for you at the United desk. Any questions?"

"Who else do you expect to be researching this?" Al asked.

"Oh, I wouldn't be surprised to find the Saudis, Iranians, Japanese and our governments all in attendance, the industrial people may be there too I expect. But they will take a little time to arrive."

"Is this purely a research project?" Al asked.

"I don't expect any trouble at this stage, but keep your eyes open." Gus said calmly.

Al placed the information into his briefcase. He then walked over to the elderly man and shook his hand. "Thank you for breakfast Gus. I'll be talking with you soon."

"Thank you Al. I enjoyed this morning more than you know."

Gus Millar watched the strong, confident and purposeful younger man walk out of the room. For the next hour he sat in his library as his mind re-lived moments of his life that went from fact to the margins of fantasy.

"Do you understand what this means?" It was just about a scream.

"Calm down, calm down. Yes I do understand what this means. Only we can't walk in and take it over. We don't know the first thing about it!"

It was far too early in the morning to become worked-up over anything at this stage. He had many things to accomplish before the day was finished and this was a situation he was not at all prepared for.

"Look, prepare a report that I can give to the Prime Minister. And there had better be a benefits section that will impress the hell out of him. This close to an election we can't afford to have anything go off half-cocked."

"Yes sir. When do you want the report?" asked the assistant.

"As soon as you feel it is complete." replied the senior adviser.

The assistant left the office to begin the detailed research on the Beckitt’s, Tom Pierce and anyone else involved with the story that was featured on the morning news report.

That damned news story created a flurry of activity that came at a very bad time. What with the economy, the raising of taxes, abortion, immigration, climate change, young offenders and countless other issues the politicians had to wrestle with, here was a new one. The tree-huggers and global warming groups are going to have a field-day about this.

He stared at a picture of Andy Beckitt and his tackle box and thought, What next? Aliens are gonna land?

Tax records, healthcare information, everything from the financial sectors and information on families and friends could be acquired from the Internet and computer files the government had access to. Secrets of a personal nature were a thing of the past.

Christ! Why can't these things happen when they won't affect an election? The senior advisor thought.

His name was Barney Sherman. For the past twenty-two years he had been one of the guiding forces in Canada's political arena. He had been console to two Prime Ministers and many first ministers on how they should govern. He was instrumental in averting political disasters and squeezing the most positive reaction out of a situation at hand.

This space-power business was something that was going to take time to research in order to maximize the benefits without putting any of the other plans in jeopardy.

Time. If only there was more time. The US government will be very interested in this new devise, as would any other country. The military, energy producers, economic development groups - the list went on.

He picked up the phone and dialed a series of digits.

"It's me. I have a job for you. Meet me at the usual place in an hour. Be packed and ready to go. Better pack some warm clothes too...you're going to the Yukon."

He then put his finger on the cradle hook of the phone and thought for a moment. He dialed another number and waited.

"Major Crowper please." he waited.

"Gord? Barney. What do you fellas have in mind for this new energy machine? Don't give me any of your bullshit! I know goddamn well you are putting together a fact finding team. All I want to know is what are you proposing to do?"

Major Gordon Crowper was used to this kind of direct questioning from Barney Sherman. Barney was to the point, non-critical and supportive if asked how to proceed with ticklish situations.

Major Crowper spilled his guts on the plan that was underway as of half an hour ago.

"So when do you expect your first report?"

"At midnight local time."

"I would like to see a complete report as soon as it is available. Email it to my home please."

"Yes Sir."

"And Gord... No one, I mean abso-fucking-lutely no one, is to take action unless I say so. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Very well, I'll talk with you later." he hung up.

"Who was that?" asked the Majors aid.

"Barney Sherman." he answered with gloom.

"Shit! How did he find out so fast?"

"I have no idea. But we had better do this by the numbers or someone's ass will be hanging from the flagpole at the Parliament Buildings."

"I want more information on these Beckitt people." stated the man in the dark blue suit to the assembled people occupying a conference table.

"Do we use the direct approach or undercover?"

"Both.”

"Has there been a decision on the urgency of recovering this machine?"

"No. But we must not let anyone else gain favor ahead of us. This is imperative! If there are competitive forces in the way, we will decide at that time how best to deal with them."

"What operational status do you want to give this?"

The director thought about this question for a moment and then said. "Level three. But we walk softly. No action is to be taken unless the machine is in danger of being recovered by another party. Is this understood?"

All the people at the table nodded the affirmative.

"Very well. You all know what has to be done. I want reports every six hours from the field operatives and a complete report every twenty-four hours which incorporates both the research groups.

Gwen, contact your people in Ottawa and start with the filed information on these Yukon players. Be discrete...we can't afford to anger our counterparts up there."

Quietly everyone left the table to attend to their business.

The director remained seated. He was thinking how this was going to be pulled off. This Andrew Beckitt was not the kind of man to consider the intervention of government and competitive industries. He was an inventor...a bumpkin! He couldn't anticipate the forces that he would be up against.

He didn't go through the usual patent application process with his invention; otherwise this could have been nipped in the bud. But now...the world knew about it and there were no records in the system about how it worked.

It was going to be a little more difficult this way.

He had to be getting help from someone who was wise in the ways of what the governments and industry of the world would do to control this invention of his.

Tom Pierce was the most probable suspect. He could be directing the launch of this invention with a goal in mind. But what? Making money? Gaining power? Saving the planet? Did he have an axe to grind? What do these people want?

Whatever the reason, it must not interfere with the plans of the rest of the world. They could not afford to lose control....Not again.