Read Online Tesla's Signal by L. Woodswalker - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: L. Woodswalker
Ads: Link
into being, the rest of the world rushed headlong into the new century. The wealthy gave up their horses and carriages for the newfangled automobile. Electricity transformed the streets, industries and homes of America. New York City stayed lit all night long, humming with energy and optimism. All because Nikola had given them the gift of practical, abundant electrical power.
The world took his gift for granted now. They rushed about, faster and faster, doing more business and consuming more goods and entertainments. New fads came on the scene. People listened to ragtime bands on Mr. Edison's phonographs. They flocked to Mr. Edison's movie parlors, where they put a nickel in a slot and watched boxers and belly dancers.
People sought novelty in the spirit realm as well as the material. The wealthy held séances in their parlors to speak with the dearly departed. Any girl with exotic looks and a talent for ventriloquism could set herself up as a medium. Just recently, a woman had come from out West proclaiming that she had received guidance from angelic beings. Come visit the Silver Chamber said her advertisement. Receive the spiritual benefit of Sister Shelia's advanced knowledge and miraculous silver light rays.
She became very popular and all the most prominent people went to her sessions. Rumor was that she was giving astrological advice to J. P. Morgan himself.
She staged a special showing in Mr. Edison's movie parlor. “Come in and be enlightened,” said the silver-gowned usher to every passer-by.
“No thank you,” said Niko. “I don't care to patronize any of Mr. Edison's charlatanry.”
***
At the end of the fifth year, workers placed the final touch on the Tower framework: a great crown of copper and aluminum ribs. Niko stood admiring the structure: how grand it looked, silhouetted against the clouds, shining in the rays of sunset! And what a struggle it had been...he had used up the funds advanced to him by Morgan, then dipped into his own resources. Bill collectors were starting to buzz around like flies around offal. He still needed more resources to complete the outer covering of the tower, and the great transmitter that would signal beings from the other planets.
He stared at the Tower from every angle and thought about what still had to be done. Wireless radio and energy...such gifts he wanted to give to the human race!
There were many things Niko wanted, he admitted to himself. He wanted a place in history along with the great scientists of the ages. And a few other things. He'd like to show up that lying scoundrel Edison and those other scoffers who made fun of him as a dreamer.
And he wouldn't mind some financial reward either. Living at the
Waldorf Hotel wasn't cheap, and he liked to entertain friends such as Katharine and Robert in style. And of course, more funds would mean a bigger lab, more research, grander experiments.
Niko wanted to please his mother and father, who were now perhaps watching him from a realm beyond Death. He wanted to be a benevolent Zeus to mankind. Who wouldn't?
But most of all, he wanted someone to talk to.
Niko could work alone for days on end, but sometimes loneliness overwhelmed him. Yet social occasions were awkward and unfulfilling. He found little in common with most people: they admired him, but he knew they thought him strange and sometimes even a bit frightening.
But once, in a dream, he had visited beings who had given him an inkling of something more. My colleagues, the Seekers, have been searching for intelligent life for many turns. We wish to exchange knowledge.
Me too . Deep in his heart, Niko's greatest yearning was to find intelligent beings with whom he could have deep conversations...and they'd understand what he was talking about.
***
Void Stalker
“Our first contact has been very successful,” K'viin reported, at one of his briefings with the High Council. “We have learned quite a bit about this world's biology, language and
The world took his gift for granted now. They rushed about, faster and faster, doing more business and consuming more goods and entertainments. New fads came on the scene. People listened to ragtime bands on Mr. Edison's phonographs. They flocked to Mr. Edison's movie parlors, where they put a nickel in a slot and watched boxers and belly dancers.
People sought novelty in the spirit realm as well as the material. The wealthy held séances in their parlors to speak with the dearly departed. Any girl with exotic looks and a talent for ventriloquism could set herself up as a medium. Just recently, a woman had come from out West proclaiming that she had received guidance from angelic beings. Come visit the Silver Chamber said her advertisement. Receive the spiritual benefit of Sister Shelia's advanced knowledge and miraculous silver light rays.
She became very popular and all the most prominent people went to her sessions. Rumor was that she was giving astrological advice to J. P. Morgan himself.
She staged a special showing in Mr. Edison's movie parlor. “Come in and be enlightened,” said the silver-gowned usher to every passer-by.
“No thank you,” said Niko. “I don't care to patronize any of Mr. Edison's charlatanry.”
***
At the end of the fifth year, workers placed the final touch on the Tower framework: a great crown of copper and aluminum ribs. Niko stood admiring the structure: how grand it looked, silhouetted against the clouds, shining in the rays of sunset! And what a struggle it had been...he had used up the funds advanced to him by Morgan, then dipped into his own resources. Bill collectors were starting to buzz around like flies around offal. He still needed more resources to complete the outer covering of the tower, and the great transmitter that would signal beings from the other planets.
He stared at the Tower from every angle and thought about what still had to be done. Wireless radio and energy...such gifts he wanted to give to the human race!
There were many things Niko wanted, he admitted to himself. He wanted a place in history along with the great scientists of the ages. And a few other things. He'd like to show up that lying scoundrel Edison and those other scoffers who made fun of him as a dreamer.
And he wouldn't mind some financial reward either. Living at the
Waldorf Hotel wasn't cheap, and he liked to entertain friends such as Katharine and Robert in style. And of course, more funds would mean a bigger lab, more research, grander experiments.
Niko wanted to please his mother and father, who were now perhaps watching him from a realm beyond Death. He wanted to be a benevolent Zeus to mankind. Who wouldn't?
But most of all, he wanted someone to talk to.
Niko could work alone for days on end, but sometimes loneliness overwhelmed him. Yet social occasions were awkward and unfulfilling. He found little in common with most people: they admired him, but he knew they thought him strange and sometimes even a bit frightening.
But once, in a dream, he had visited beings who had given him an inkling of something more. My colleagues, the Seekers, have been searching for intelligent life for many turns. We wish to exchange knowledge.
Me too . Deep in his heart, Niko's greatest yearning was to find intelligent beings with whom he could have deep conversations...and they'd understand what he was talking about.
***
Void Stalker
“Our first contact has been very successful,” K'viin reported, at one of his briefings with the High Council. “We have learned quite a bit about this world's biology, language and
Similar Books
