Null Infinity - Excerpt 3

 

Image – ID 220602065 | Alien © Vampy1 | Dreamstime.com

CHAPTER 11

The Disappearance, as it was called, happened on the border which had been contested by China and India for decades. A contingent of Indian soldiers had not reported back to their base. It wasn't front page news at the time but was carefully discussed by intelligence agencies around the world.

When Dr. Zee heard about it, unofficially, he immediately came to the conclusion that China had developed a spacetime bubble weapon. But instead of the more dramatic and destructive energy shedding of a superluminal bubble, they had discovered the resonance that attached an extra-dimension to normal spacetime. From the description, Zee was sure that the disappeared soldiers were caught in that supra spacetime.

Zee was called to Washington DC and found himself in many meetings with the government and the military. Zee pointed out in the meetings that if the Chinese were this far along then they may also be ahead in developing a space drive. The country, at least at the highest levels, was being shocked into reality.

Harry had gotten his doctorate and taken a job with a Texas university teaching and researching. At the age of twenty, he was the youngest professor at the university. Lauren was finishing up her last semester and would soon be finished with her doctorate. Harry was hoping she would follow him to Texas.

As a young professor Harry had three introductory physics classes to teach his first semester. Since he was teaching the courses for the first time, he had to spend a lot of time preparing, he spent little time on research. One advantage he found to teaching was that he was having to learn the subjects in much greater depth than he did as a student. He found out that it was true, teaching a subject was a great way to learn it.

Harry was so busy he didn't have much time to miss Lauren. But there were moments when a measure of quiet entered into his routine and then he almost always ended up thinking about her. It was during one of these long moments that he decided he had to do something; he had to ask her to marry him.

Once he made the decision, it was as if everything became clear which had been cloudy. He knew he cared for her, but he never admitted he loved her enough to sacrifice his routine. Now, after the decision, he knew he loved her more than enough. The only question was should he say something next time they talked or the next time he saw her.

He wouldn't be seeing her for at least six more weeks, he wasn't sure he wanted to wait that long, at least to ask her. He would do it next time they talked, which would be that evening.

Null Infinity - Excerpt 2

 

Image – ID 220602065 | Alien © Vampy1 | Dreamstime.com

CHAPTER 8

The departmental budget would let them get started on the experiment but eventually they would have to find a backer with more money. Lauren found a couple of used mobile field offices that could be shipped to the site. These would serve as shelter and maybe an overnight room if needed. She and Harry and anyone else they could find in support of the experiment would be staying at the Lacey Motel in Lacey, Georgia. Lauren had booked a block of rooms at a good price, apparently the city of Lacey wasn't much of a tourist destination. Harry and Lauren could see why when they made their first visit.

That part of Georgia was once known as the wiregrass region and extended across approximately the bottom third of the state. It was known for its longleaf pine trees and the eponymous wiregrass. The flat leaves of the grass appear cylindrical because they curl inward at the edges, like wires. The perennial grows in clumps to a length of about twenty inches. It provides a carpet for the forest floor and an extensive open range for wild game. The region is probably still the most underdeveloped of the state.

Harry and Lauren could be expected to share their research area with deer and gophers, bears and rattlesnakes, wolves and wild hogs. They would also share the area with harvester ants which have a stinger that could produce a rather painful sting. Harry and Lauren were suburban kids, so this was a new experience (after New Mexico) for them.

They arrived in Lacey late in the afternoon having started their drive before dawn from Atlanta. Lacey had a small downtown of about a dozen buildings on one side of main street and a railroad line on the other. Two restaurants including a pizza place were present, Harry especially noticed the pizza place.

They checked into the motel and left their luggage, they wanted to find the forestry site before dark. Heading west of town they drove for fifteen minutes before seeing the sign for the university forestry department. Harry turned right onto the narrow dirt road and drove a short distance before finding the office which was in a short trailer.

Getting out of the car they saw a young man approaching. He introduced himself as Jimmy Stubbs. He was a graduate student in forestry.

After introductions Harry said, “Has anyone told you where we'll be setting up our experiment?”

“Yeah, I'll take you over there,” said Stubbs.

They got on the four-wheeler with Stubbs driving and Harry beside, Lauren was on the back seat which faced backwards. Stubbs took off through the woods, the only sound was the tires of the electric. The late day sun was throwing long shadows across the path. Flashes of sunlight, almost a strobe-like effect, shone as Stubbs had the four-wheeler maxed. After about five minutes they emerged from the forest onto an open field of wiregrass. Stubbs stopped the electric.

“This is it,” he said.

“Where's the power?” asked Lauren.

“At the upper end,” said Stubbs, pointing that way. “They've got the box all run.”

“This will work,” said Harry. “We'll put the trailers up there along with the laser. We've got two-forty volts, right?”

“As far as I know,” said Stubbs. “You'll have to ask Professor Darlington to be sure. He's managing the project. You can see him tomorrow.”

“Good,” said Harry. “Are there any extra electrics we can use?”

“I think so,” said Stubbs. “Again, that's a question for the Professor. Your trailers are already here, just need to finish moving them to where you want.”

“Great,” said Harry. “Well, I guess that's all we can do today. Thanks Jimmy.”

“Sure,” said Stubbs as he started the four-wheeler back through the woods as fast as they had come.