Country Boy

"Well Beth, what did you think about your rip to orbit," asked Larry.

Beth sighed, eyes glistening, and said, "It was fantastic! I would love to be able to spend more time up there and to explore. When can we do it again?"

"I don't really know Beth. We'll try to make time for more trips from time to time. Now, I'm tired and I have a couple of things I have to finish before we can quit for the night. I think it's time to go."

"Please, just a minute or two longer Larry."

CHAPTER 10

A COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE

BY SW MO HERMIT

After Beth had wandered around Lander for a while longer the three friends returned to the laboratory and resumed their work. This time, however, Larry and Rachel had a star struck helper and they made sure there was no one else in the building and the doors were locked. Over the next week, Beth dropped all her ongoing projects and assigned them to her subordinates. She insisted on helping with the antigravity research from that point on. Of course, what she was mostly doing was learning the alien technology since the AG device was actually in existence. The additional help, however, did "speed up" the development. Much of the time the three friends were supposedly working on their research in AG they were actually in Lander studying or watching as the small reactor was removed from the salvaged shuttle. It was a smaller vessel than Lander, therefore the reactor was slightly smaller but it still could produce prodigious amounts of power. At full use, it, too, could last about 200 years before needing to be refueled.

Since Larry already knew the theory and design specifications for the antigravity device, the research basically centered on designing the device using earth metals and machinery. Of course, as stated earlier, most of the delay in developing the device was building a track record of failed attempts to muddy the waters in case they were ever investigated.

One day, almost a year after Beth first met Lander and had her first trip, they announced to the help that their research was successful. They had antigravity! While they were demonstrating the device to the assembled help Larry was describing it. All at once, he stopped and looked at the power meters. He made several notes and quickly moved to his computer where he spent nearly ten minutes doing computations.

At the end of his computation Larry rolled his desk chair back and almost screamed, "Damn it. This just won't work."

Beth looked at him in surprise and said, "What do you mean Larry. Of course it works. We can all see the test hovering over the workbench. If we increase power, reduce power or vector the drive the test subject moves higher, lower or to the side. How can you say it won't work?"

"Look at the power readings. This damn device is a power hungry bastard. I am using almost 15 kilowatts an hour just to lift a device that weighs about a pound. If we wanted to lift, say, a vehicle, an automobile, we would have to use about 67,500 kilowatts an hour. None of the batteries we have can put out that amount of power for any time at all. They would all be drained in minutes. Hell, we can't even get that weight to lift itself I bet. Of course, a smaller vehicle like a car or truck would only need battery power to get started, then the wind through the turbine would generate more than enough power to continue and recharge the batteries but as we scale up for an aircraft, we eventually reach a point where the weight of all the machinery, the aircraft itself and cargo are too great for the antigravity unit to move without an onboard power generator of high capacity, even if we drastically scale up the generating capacity."

Rachel said, "But we have the device. Now all we need to do is find a power source that is light weight enough for a mobile device. We can use fixed power sources for lifting weights in a stationary environment."

After a few minutes more discussion by the assembled researchers, everyone except Larry, Rachel and Beth returned to their own research cubical in a different building. The three friends continued to discuss the problem quietly as they each ran more computations. Finally, in exasperation, Larry threw down his notes and pushed his chair away from his terminal.

Lander took that time to say, "Larry, I am sorry you are so frustrated. You have run up against the same limitations our earlier researchers did. That is why we developed the small cold fusion reactors you find in almost all of our machinery that is powered by antigravity. My reactor is several times more efficient than the largest of your fixed fusion and fission reactors here on earth. You can develop your device, patent it, and use it as Rachel said for fixed installations with the power sources you now have. You can even use the device in smaller airborne vehicles because they can generate enough power to feed it and keep batteries charged. You cannot power any of the larger, heavier aircraft because of the weight to power ratio limitations."

"Crap. No way around this limitation huh?"

"Not until the earth develops better reactors."

"I don't suppose"

Lander cut in before Larry could complete his sentence. He said, "NO Larry. Your world is not ready for the advanced nuclear physics I would have to teach you in order to develop and construct fusion reactors the size and efficiency of mine."

By this point in Larry's life, he had a company that rivaled the largest manufacturing conglomerate in the world. His company and its subsidiaries were producing the generators, electric motors, vehicles, and numerous other smaller consumer devices based on the technology he harvested from Lander's equipment and databanks. Money was literally rolling in faster than he could spend it. He and his core engineers, even his earlier employees who signed up for the stock option and purchase available were some of, if not the richest persons in the world. Larry's personal net worth exceeded that of Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and the King of Saudi Arabia combined. He threw his mind and wealth into the development of a power source and distribution that would allow his antigravity device to power and lift huge weights.

Larry's company was so well known for their innovations and developments that they had to constantly be on the lookout for espionage by commercial rivals and by foreign governments. Because of this, he had one of, if not the largest security detachments in the world. His security department was as well trained as the U.S. Secret Service, CIA, the KGB or Israel's Mossad. In fact, he hired many of their agents away from them. Security was tighter at all his research and manufacturing facilities than at many defense plants and research facilities. His cyber security section was constantly fighting hacking attempts. In fact, almost all the serious research data and computers were not even connected to the Internet to help prevent espionage.

One day, after once again failing to find an answer to the power problem, Larry, Rachel, Beth and Tom were sitting around lamenting the failure of yet another test. All at once Beth looked up at Larry and said, "Larry why are we fighting this? Why don't we just build a cold fusion reactor?"

"Well, obviously because we can't. No one has ever been able to develop such a thing and even if they had, the damn thing would probably weigh too damn much to use."

"Yes, here on earth, but," her face developed an oops look. She quickly glanced at Tom then continued, "I mean why don't we do some of the research along that line and see if we can find out how it's done."

Tom looked at his wife then at the other two in the room. They all had a scared look on their faces. Finally, something seemed to click with him. He stood up and walked away, then turned to face the three still sitting. He said, "I've thought your developments were weird for some time, almost from the first. You somehow managed to make so many intuitive leaps of knowledge I was amazed. Now, I think I see. Beth, you said, here on earth a moment ago. A lot of the things we have developed are just too different from things developed by other companies. You're not from earth are you Larry? You're slowly giving earth your technology aren't you?"

Larry laughed and leaned back in his chair. "Boy, what science fiction book have you been reading Tom? You know I was born and raised right here, well, just across the line in Missouri. Hell, I look like you, I married and we have children. Man, what have you been smoking?"

"How do I know you're human? Hell, Rachel and you could come from the same place or planet. Shit, maybe that's why you seem to just know all these things while the rest of us have to struggle to learn about your inventions and follow your reasoning and development. Fuck, man, I'm outta here. We have to stop you now."

Tom ran from the room leaving the other three sitting with shocked expressions on their faces. Fortunately, that shock didn't last long. They jumped and tried to catch Tom but he was almost to his car by the time they got out the door.

Larry grabbed his phone and dialed security using the speed dial feature. He gave them instructions to stop Tom, restrain him, and bring him back to the research facility Larry normally used.

When an angry Tom was led back into the room he was pushed into a chair and secured into it. Larry looked at the guards and said, "Thanks. I appreciate this. If you would wait in the corridor please?"

The Sergeant in charge said, "Yes Sir." He turned to leave and his partner followed.

Beth was crying. She tried to approach Tom and he shied away. She looked at Larry and whimpered, I'm so sorry Larry. I was just so frustrated I said something I shouldn't have. Please, can you forgive me?"

Larry sighed and said, "Yeah, Beth. I suppose I should be surprised it's taken this long for one of us to slip. But what are we going to do now? All I can think of is come clean with him. Then, there's one more who can let something slip and get us in trouble."

Tom yelled, "I knew it. You're aliens!" He struggled harder against his restraints but escape was impossible. Finally, he looked up at the three friends once again. His face was red and he was breathing deeply, in danger of hyperventilating. He snarled, "You'll never get away with this. We'll catch you and stop you from taking over. You can't fight billions of humans."

Larry walked up and sat in front of Tom. He said, "Tom I know you're angry, probably somewhat scared and hurt. We had no intention of causing you any physical or emotional pain. The security we had to work under is so tight we had no intention of even letting Beth know about some of the things you probably suspect. She became aware of our secret much as you have, except it was my big mouth that alerted her.

"As I said earlier, I am not, we are not aliens. Unfortunately, you were closer to the truth than you know. Several years ago there was a large meteor shower one night. Remember? A meteor, or what I initially thought was a meteor crashed down about 800 feet west of here. When I went to investigate, I found a small space ship, or a Lander, as it wants to be called. It crashed in the woods and was almost buried in the dirt. Of course, you know me. I checked it out, and then I just had to know how things I found worked. All these developments have stemmed from that ship but there are things that are restricted to us. Weapons or things that can be turned into weapons or used for war are foremost among those items. We are developing and releasing non-military items as rapidly as we can and still maintain the cover of us inventing them. Of course many of the items we build and release are not as efficient as those on the ship because we have to manufacture them using earth materials, manufacturing techniques, and metal alloys."

Tom laughed and said, "Oh, yeah, you expect me to believe that you're not an alien? No human could build all these things as fast as you are. I can see what you're doing. You're building up earth's non-military technology so the planet will be more to your liking when you take over. You're forgetting about our atomic and hydrogen bombs though. We'll nuke you to hell if we have to."

"Why not? Why won't you believe that we are humans and are studying and releasing safe items to make life here better? You were willing to believe I was an alien. Wouldn't it make more sense to just believe I found some alien technology and am learning about it then releasing it to the world?"

"No. Well, I'm not sure. Why didn't you just call the Air Force and turn the ship over to them? That makes more sense to me. Besides, it was your duty as an American. We need that technology to keep our country safe. It is your duty to turn it over to the government."

"Tom, think about it. They would have come in here and torn up my home and woods. They might even have arrested me or locked me up to keep me quiet. Hell, they might even have killed me. I mean, this was—NO, this is—BIG. Think about the panic that would set in if it were proven aliens did exist. Of course, I'm almost sure the government would keep this one quiet while they tried to steal all the technology, but what if it got out. The religious fanatics would have a field day. There would be panic in the streets all over the world. Thousands, maybe even millions would be killed or injured. This country might even be attacked in order to keep us from having the technology contained in this ship. On top of that, I wanted to know how the things I found worked. I'll admit it. Part of the reason I kept the discovery secret was so I could learn the secrets and play with the new tech. But I AM doing the right thing. I am releasing the technology as fast as I can."

Lander broke into the conversation and said, "You are more correct than you know Larry. There is almost incontrovertible proof that just that has happened many times in the past. We have lost several observation ships from different races over the years and some of your publications have eerily accurate pictures and descriptions of the lost crewmembers and ships. We believe your area 51 may very well have some of those ships and bodies within. That is the primary reason our observation ships now self destruct if captured."

Larry continued, saying, "Thank you Lander. Now, as I was saying, by the time I had worked on the ship a few days, Rachel discovered Lander also. Then, some time later, after we already had the company set up Rachel and I were talking and Beth overheard us so the cat got out of the bag once more. Now, you have stumbled onto our secret also."

"I'm not buying it Larry. You can't keep me here for long. I'll be missed and when I am, they'll find me then we'll get to the bottom of this. And you, whoever you are on the intercom, don't think we won't find you too."

Before he could reply, Lander spoke once again. He said, "It seems you have a problem Larry. Why don't you bring Mr. Selkirk down to see me? Perhaps I can allay his fears and make him understand."

"I guess that's as good a plan as any but do we really want him to see your office? What if he still isn't satisfied after you talk with him?"

"I do see your point. Why don't we just meet with him where I first met you after it gets dark? Say about ten p.m.?"

To Beth's sorrow, they left Tom tied in his chair for the next several hours until it was time for them to take him out in the woods to visit Lander. Lander had already exited his hiding place before Tom was led from the office. Before they took him outside, they took the precaution of covering his head. They then took him on a long drive through the country before returning to Larry's complex and leading him through the woods to Lander's crash site. They hoped if the discussion didn't satisfy Tom, he wouldn't be able to tell the authorities where he saw Lander. Of course that was only a hope because if he remembered they told him the initial landing was just west of the research facility it would be easy to find.

After they were down in the hole they took the blindfold off Tom's head and allowed him to see the exterior of the ship. He was constantly swiveling his head as he took in the surroundings and the ship. When he was inside, they let him sit in one of the chairs before a console. Lander gave him the whole discussion about his civilization, the meteor storm, his crash and the subsequent time spent on earth. He admitted Larry was learning about alien technology and releasing it into earth's economy in an attempt to assist their growing civilization.

Tom was so angry, and apparently xenophobic enough that he refused to see the benefit of keeping Lander secret. He ranted and raved about aliens trying to take over the earth and Larry helping them do it. Beth was crying as she tried to reason with him but he would not listen. His mind was made up. Larry was in cahoots with the aliens and that was final.

Finally, in disgust and desperation, Larry invited the two women outside to discuss what they were going to do about Tom. He said, I don't know what we can do. We can't keep him prisoner. We can't kill him and it will be dangerous to let him go to the authorities with his knowledge. Beth, do you have any ideas?"

A still sniffling Beth wiped the tears from her face then said, "No, not really. The best I can come up with is to get him blotto and let him go in town. If we're lucky, he will rush to the police as soon as we release him. I suggest we call the police about him being drunk and seeing things, accusing us of being aliens and having a secret space ship before we do it. We can ask them to find him so he doesn't hurt himself or someone else. Maybe then, even if he does make his report, they will think it is only the alcohol talking."

"We can do that I suppose Beth but do you know the consequences? His reputation will be shot. He will hate you and most probably file for divorce. He will never trust you again. You, the person he has every right to expect to support and love him unconditionally, will have turned on him."

"I know Larry. I just don't see any other way we can handle this. And it is possible they will just blow him off. You know he's been arrested several times for drunk and disorderly since he got out of high school. One time when he was younger he threw almost all the tools out of a toolbox on a truck he was in trying to knock the little green men off fence posts. His friends have teased him for years about that drunk. Truthfully, things haven't been that good around the house for the last several months anyway. We might be headed for divorce even without this. We probably are."

"Well, I suppose that is the best we can do. Lander do you have any input?"

"No. I give that idea a higher probability of success than most ways you could handle this since he is being so unreasonable. It certainly helps that he has a prior history of making up stories about space aliens."

"Ok. Now, how do we get him to drink enough to get blotto?"

Rachel said, "I don't see any way to get him to do it voluntarily. All I can come up with is to use the turkey baster and force the alcohol down his throat. We will have to be careful not to give him enough to kill him from alcohol poisoning."

Larry sighed and said, "Ok, let's do it. I hate to but I don't see anything else we can do."

They had a hell of a time getting the alcohol down him without injury to themselves or to Tom. They had to insure they didn't injure him or leave bruises or marks on him because that would support the story (truth) they expected him to tell the authorities about Lander. After he began to show signs of being drunk, they took him back to his vehicle and drove him around several minutes before entering town. Rachel followed Tom's car in one of the company vans. About five minutes before they let him loose Beth called the police through Lander's connection with our cell system and asked them to find him. She reported he was drinking and was having delusions 'again'. As soon as Beth finished the phone call she and Larry got into the company vehicle Rachel had followed them in. Tom started the car and drove off rapidly. Larry and the women also left, heading back to Larry's place.