Ten Directions by Samuel Winburn

Author:Samuel Winburn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: spiritual, buddhism, revolution, gaia, environmental, solar system, odyssey, alien contact, virtual realty, nanotechnolgy
Publisher: Samuel Winburn

Chapter 16 - August

The glistening panels of silicon and germanium bent under the impact of the cosmic wind. The blinding radiation filling space funnelled from the panels down into the gut of the machine generating intense magnetic fields. These fields sifted and divided the more direct blast of particles entering the wide horn at the front of the ship, accelerating and colliding them, before harvesting an essential few into large magnetic 'bottles' at the cooler stern. The antimatter factory performed its work motionlessly, the pressure of the sun's might was countered by the competing gravitational pulls of the sun and the crater pocked planet Mercury below. Occasionally engines would stir to keep the orbit perpendicular to the torrent of light.

A cone shaped craft approached the factory base first, heat shields glowing. The cone settled into a circular cavity at the protected side of the factory. The precious cargo diffused into the magnetic field lining the freighters storage compartment before rockets gently nudged the ship back into space. When they had attained a comfortable distance from the factory a minute fraction of the tenuous gas held in the hold was released into the ion stream of the freighter’s exhaust.

The cone disappeared in a blast of light. The brightly glowing Mercury and orbiting factory rapidly dropped from view.

As August watched his demonstration an intense sense of fulfilment washed through him. His relief was immense. Even though this event had resulted from a chain reaction powered by the critical mass of a lifetime of aspiration, even though the work itself had been nothing but joy, the non-stop effort had taken its toll.

Appearing in this neuroview to the assembled shareholders at this extraordinary general meeting was nothing less than the culmination of one of the greatest advances in technology in human history. That it had been accomplished in secrecy made the accomplishment even more amazing.

Exhaustion steadied him. Exhaustion that had become habit. Exhaustion that was possible only because of the greatness of the mission. To achieve this, he had lied almost continuously. He had lied to everyone except Calvin30 who had arranged most of the lying on his behalf. Lied straight to their faces without hesitation. Lied because the Truth behind the lie would set them free.

August had worked his charm, his hair waving with chaotic intensity to entrance each person he had personally talked to, swearing them to utmost secrecy with the authority of his unexpected appearance in the place of the usual intermediaries. Some were minor like the supplier from Gudansk not questioning why an impossible order of quantum capacitors was necessary for a telescope array retrofit. Some were illegal, taken care of at the edge of his deniable awareness by Calvin30. Some were far more serious.

“August. We are getting some questions as to why the N201-10 fusion reactor budget has blown out. I mean really blown out. Whew.”

Helen Rodriguez, who had become his most trusted contact with the board following the assassination attempt, raised her eyebrows over their neuroview accusingly. She looked at him with Anya’s eyes.

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