depths of this burden, is entirely up to you. What I’m asking of you is no small favor—but if you’re up to the challenge, as I think you are, you might very well succeed in changing the world.
“But first, a small history lesson to put everything you’re about to experience in proper perspective. In 1902 a series of small meteor showers pelted the Earth’s atmosphere. As you might imagine, accounts from that point in time are sketchy at best. But we have assembled some fairly reliable information in the decades since, enough to generate very detailed computer models of the events. The majority of the interstellar material burned up entering the Earth’s atmosphere. But in several very rare cases there were surface impacts. At this point I believe all of the meteorites have been recovered. Out of every sample collected across North America, all were fairly unremarkable. Chemical and ore compositions that were not quite in line with what is found on Earth, but nothing extraordinary. That is, with one glaring exception.
“One of the recovered ore samples exhibited properties unlike anything in recorded history. While the composition of the sample was largely unremarkable, cursory laboratory tests demonstrated unheard-of inconsistencies. Tests that should yield precisely the same results every time, instead displayed wild fluctuations that, initially, could not be explained. That ore sample remains unique to this day. A similar sample has never been located.
“So,” Walter said, refocusing on the camera and pulling his mind back from his tale. “All of the data is gathered here. All of the records, the test results, and films of the experiments, have been archived in this vault. As you will see, we are on the verge of something very special. Something that will change the world. Sadly I wasn’t able to bring the project to fruition before my time was up. A critical component remains beyond my reach. Until this point, my source of Halon-Seven has been limited, but there is now hope. Recent evidence suggests that additional reserves might yet exist—though I haven’t a clue how to acquire them.”
Meade stopped again, taking another several seconds to collect his thoughts.
“There is so much more that I wish I’d shared with you—so much more that you need to know about this mess I’ve left with you. Unfortunately, if you are seeing this, time was not on my side, and the clock ran out before I could share the secret of my life’s work. So, I turn to you, my friend. As you have done for me so many times in the past, take a look at the project and its data. Help me complete my work. Everything you need to know is contained within this vault.”
Walter took a deep breath and looked into the camera for several long seconds. Cyrus had the distinct impression that the man was looking right at him, here and now, not an image captured in time. It was eerie. Finally, Meade found his words. “The choice is yours, my friend. But this undertaking is a one-way trip. Not to be overly dramatic, but once you go down the rabbit hole, there is no turning back. Once something is learned, it cannot be unlearned.
“If you are willing to help me in my last request, the next step is simple. There is a raised platform at the back of the room. Simply step onto the device and turn on the main power key located on the control interface. The Mark II requires sixty seconds to come to full power. After sixty seconds, the light under the glass protective cap will glow green. Flip the cap, and toggle the switch.
“Now this last part is of paramount importance. The final step is to press the large red button on the left of the control interface. Once you press that button, you will have five seconds to place both of your hands directly to your sides and stand in the center of the platform. Please understand, this is critical. You must stand in the center of the platform.
“Good luck, Cyrus. Thank you for being a loyal friend to a
“But first, a small history lesson to put everything you’re about to experience in proper perspective. In 1902 a series of small meteor showers pelted the Earth’s atmosphere. As you might imagine, accounts from that point in time are sketchy at best. But we have assembled some fairly reliable information in the decades since, enough to generate very detailed computer models of the events. The majority of the interstellar material burned up entering the Earth’s atmosphere. But in several very rare cases there were surface impacts. At this point I believe all of the meteorites have been recovered. Out of every sample collected across North America, all were fairly unremarkable. Chemical and ore compositions that were not quite in line with what is found on Earth, but nothing extraordinary. That is, with one glaring exception.
“One of the recovered ore samples exhibited properties unlike anything in recorded history. While the composition of the sample was largely unremarkable, cursory laboratory tests demonstrated unheard-of inconsistencies. Tests that should yield precisely the same results every time, instead displayed wild fluctuations that, initially, could not be explained. That ore sample remains unique to this day. A similar sample has never been located.
“So,” Walter said, refocusing on the camera and pulling his mind back from his tale. “All of the data is gathered here. All of the records, the test results, and films of the experiments, have been archived in this vault. As you will see, we are on the verge of something very special. Something that will change the world. Sadly I wasn’t able to bring the project to fruition before my time was up. A critical component remains beyond my reach. Until this point, my source of Halon-Seven has been limited, but there is now hope. Recent evidence suggests that additional reserves might yet exist—though I haven’t a clue how to acquire them.”
Meade stopped again, taking another several seconds to collect his thoughts.
“There is so much more that I wish I’d shared with you—so much more that you need to know about this mess I’ve left with you. Unfortunately, if you are seeing this, time was not on my side, and the clock ran out before I could share the secret of my life’s work. So, I turn to you, my friend. As you have done for me so many times in the past, take a look at the project and its data. Help me complete my work. Everything you need to know is contained within this vault.”
Walter took a deep breath and looked into the camera for several long seconds. Cyrus had the distinct impression that the man was looking right at him, here and now, not an image captured in time. It was eerie. Finally, Meade found his words. “The choice is yours, my friend. But this undertaking is a one-way trip. Not to be overly dramatic, but once you go down the rabbit hole, there is no turning back. Once something is learned, it cannot be unlearned.
“If you are willing to help me in my last request, the next step is simple. There is a raised platform at the back of the room. Simply step onto the device and turn on the main power key located on the control interface. The Mark II requires sixty seconds to come to full power. After sixty seconds, the light under the glass protective cap will glow green. Flip the cap, and toggle the switch.
“Now this last part is of paramount importance. The final step is to press the large red button on the left of the control interface. Once you press that button, you will have five seconds to place both of your hands directly to your sides and stand in the center of the platform. Please understand, this is critical. You must stand in the center of the platform.
“Good luck, Cyrus. Thank you for being a loyal friend to a
Similar Books
