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Authors: L. Woodswalker
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social structure.”
“Excellent. Have you found any potential threats?”
“None, Abode Lord. These beings possess rudimentary technologies which we might actually be able to put to our advantage. But in terms of weaponry, the planet is a primitive backwater.”
“Excellent. Maintain a high orbit. Obtain more preliminary contacts.”
“Yes, highest Lord.” After his superior cut the contact, Captain K'viin turned to see his Science Specialist waiting to speak.
“What is it, K'va Z'duun?”
“Sir...” Z'duun's winglets fluttered with uncertainty. “I am not absolutely sure that this world has no high technology. That transmission we picked up...I cannot think of any natural phenomenon that would explain it.”
“By my oscus,” the Captain exclaimed. “We have already made an official report of this world's pre-tech status.”
“Nevertheless, sir,” said Z'duun, “I recommend we maintain alert.”
“Very well. And I recommend that you sharpen your powers of analysis, Science Specialist. We cannot afford a mistake.”
5: Alouette
“Mr. Tesla, you'd better have a look at this.” Niko's assistant George Scherff handed him the newspaper as he walked into his office.
Guglielmo Marconi Sends Radio Signal Across The Ocean.
“By the saints, how dare he!” Fuming, Niko scanned the article. “That thief! He visited my lab—I taught him the essentials. He is using 17 of my patents. And now he claims he invented radio!”
“I'm afraid so,” Scherff agreed.
But that was not how J. P. Morgan saw it at their next meeting.
“Clever fellow, that Marconi,” said the big-shouldered millionaire. “I see he figured out how to send a radio signal for a fraction of what your tower is costing. So tell me: why should I continue to finance you, rather than him?”
Niko tried to loosen his tie: stress was making it hard to breathe. “You see, sir, Marconi doesn't understand the concept of tuned frequencies. All he did was send a Morse signal on one bandwidth. My plan is to transmit messages on an infinite variety of frequencies—”
But Morgan didn't appear to be listening. He got up, lit a cigar, spun a globe that sat on a shelf.
Niko sighed. Morgan has already tired of me. So it was time to step out and take a risk: he must reveal the truth. “Sir, my plan is far greater than just a radio tower. I aim to do wonders for mankind, much more than Marconi ever could. I plan to transmit not only messages, but also electrical energy anywhere in the world...without wires! We will give power to that whole globe which you are spinning—”
“Did you say 'without wires'? Good God, man!” Morgan turned and stared at him with bloodshot eyes. “I've just acquired the controlling stock in American Copper! What's going to happen to my investments if you make copper wires obsolete? And tell me, if you are giving electrical power away through the air, how do you intend to collect the bill?”
Niko realized he may have made a mistake. But now it was too late to hold back the truth. “Sir...” he wet his lips. “This is beyond money...it is a gift to be given freely, for the benefit of the whole human race. With abundant energy, there will be an age of plenty...improved agriculture, an end to war...” He held out his hands in a pleading gesture. “Here is your chance to become a benefactor to Mankind. As well as your great wealth, your name will go down in history as the most generous—”
“Sweet Christ!” Morgan burst out in a guffaw. “Why would I want to donate free electrical power to Indian beggars and Chinese peasants?” He blew out a cloud of cigar smoke. “Such a plan is foolish—and dangerous. Free energy...think how that would disturb the economic order.”
Niko stared at the floor, counting the squares of exotic wood from Brazil. “It is badly disturbed already,” he murmured.
“Listen here, Tesla.” The financier stubbed out his cigar. “I took a risk financing your
“Excellent. Have you found any potential threats?”
“None, Abode Lord. These beings possess rudimentary technologies which we might actually be able to put to our advantage. But in terms of weaponry, the planet is a primitive backwater.”
“Excellent. Maintain a high orbit. Obtain more preliminary contacts.”
“Yes, highest Lord.” After his superior cut the contact, Captain K'viin turned to see his Science Specialist waiting to speak.
“What is it, K'va Z'duun?”
“Sir...” Z'duun's winglets fluttered with uncertainty. “I am not absolutely sure that this world has no high technology. That transmission we picked up...I cannot think of any natural phenomenon that would explain it.”
“By my oscus,” the Captain exclaimed. “We have already made an official report of this world's pre-tech status.”
“Nevertheless, sir,” said Z'duun, “I recommend we maintain alert.”
“Very well. And I recommend that you sharpen your powers of analysis, Science Specialist. We cannot afford a mistake.”
5: Alouette
“Mr. Tesla, you'd better have a look at this.” Niko's assistant George Scherff handed him the newspaper as he walked into his office.
Guglielmo Marconi Sends Radio Signal Across The Ocean.
“By the saints, how dare he!” Fuming, Niko scanned the article. “That thief! He visited my lab—I taught him the essentials. He is using 17 of my patents. And now he claims he invented radio!”
“I'm afraid so,” Scherff agreed.
But that was not how J. P. Morgan saw it at their next meeting.
“Clever fellow, that Marconi,” said the big-shouldered millionaire. “I see he figured out how to send a radio signal for a fraction of what your tower is costing. So tell me: why should I continue to finance you, rather than him?”
Niko tried to loosen his tie: stress was making it hard to breathe. “You see, sir, Marconi doesn't understand the concept of tuned frequencies. All he did was send a Morse signal on one bandwidth. My plan is to transmit messages on an infinite variety of frequencies—”
But Morgan didn't appear to be listening. He got up, lit a cigar, spun a globe that sat on a shelf.
Niko sighed. Morgan has already tired of me. So it was time to step out and take a risk: he must reveal the truth. “Sir, my plan is far greater than just a radio tower. I aim to do wonders for mankind, much more than Marconi ever could. I plan to transmit not only messages, but also electrical energy anywhere in the world...without wires! We will give power to that whole globe which you are spinning—”
“Did you say 'without wires'? Good God, man!” Morgan turned and stared at him with bloodshot eyes. “I've just acquired the controlling stock in American Copper! What's going to happen to my investments if you make copper wires obsolete? And tell me, if you are giving electrical power away through the air, how do you intend to collect the bill?”
Niko realized he may have made a mistake. But now it was too late to hold back the truth. “Sir...” he wet his lips. “This is beyond money...it is a gift to be given freely, for the benefit of the whole human race. With abundant energy, there will be an age of plenty...improved agriculture, an end to war...” He held out his hands in a pleading gesture. “Here is your chance to become a benefactor to Mankind. As well as your great wealth, your name will go down in history as the most generous—”
“Sweet Christ!” Morgan burst out in a guffaw. “Why would I want to donate free electrical power to Indian beggars and Chinese peasants?” He blew out a cloud of cigar smoke. “Such a plan is foolish—and dangerous. Free energy...think how that would disturb the economic order.”
Niko stared at the floor, counting the squares of exotic wood from Brazil. “It is badly disturbed already,” he murmured.
“Listen here, Tesla.” The financier stubbed out his cigar. “I took a risk financing your
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