Strength
Chapter Twelve
Antiope’s Proposal
Even though it is known for its ferociousness, the woman has
tamed this wild beast with her calming, loving energy.
Surprise to the Boys in Black! And Gotcha!!
Come and get me if you dare!
Fusion Power ,,
why aren't you making more of an effort
to share the potential wealth of fusion resources.. ??
Too dangerous?
So you say!
Or are you hogging it in secrecy somewhere.
Area 51?
Fusion Project!
Makes more sense.
Ah but I know it is really not so.
We don't have fusion yet?
Are they keeping the technology secret?
Is it the best kept secret in the world.?
And we all know time travel is impossible.
All very well folks,
but we all know that this is nothing
bu the fictional delusions of some science fiction writer;
but am I not in the habit of entertaining the public,
and where is the fine line to draw concerning censorship.
Tread the walkway very lightly folks, you're in my domain.
If Antiope had been popular before, her reputation now soared tenfold.
The scientists were aware that they had just witnessed an extraordinary display of matter-to-antimatter conversion. They surmised that Antiope had somehow created and stored a tremendous amount of antimatter “somewhere”—and that location was a closely guarded secret.
Equally significant was the technology itself. Key policy makers were present, their thinking subtly reshaped. Antiope announced her intention to engage in global energy markets, establishing power beam stations both in space and on Earth. She requested special fusion licensing with the right to self-insure. Though Washington hesitated, a little pressure from General Armstrong’s staff persuaded the proper authorities.
Jim and John busied themselves with the Boxes, restoring the accelerator space to its normal state. Fermilab staff watched, bewildered, as the two Air Force colonels quickly disassembled the “add-on” equipment that had made the impossible happen.
Some staffers were disappointed—they had hoped to be the first to achieve the breakthrough. Yet the military, keen on maintaining cover for the true project, downplayed the Fermilab’s credit. This provided some consolation; increased funding would soon follow.
Antiope had her team secure the equipment in container trucks. John and Jim absorbed the units inside the containers, which were later driven away empty. Once all equipment was restored, they joined Antiope and Helen at the reception banquet. John was seated next to Helen; Jim next to Antiope.
Antiope addressed the audience.
“Please, do not ask the colonels any questions concerning the project. They are under strict orders not to answer.”
Thus, John and Jim were spared direct interrogation, though they were regarded with mystified awe, particularly by the women present.
“Are you free to discuss military applications of the beam technology, Antiope?”
“Only to say that the military has no pending contracts regarding this technology.”
The media dismissed the statement as typical Washington doublespeak. Antiope had no intention of sharing the technology with the Pentagon. Her financial strategy became clear: she was positioning herself to control U.S. power and space industries, making it obvious that Washington was too incompetent to manage these strategic assets. The two Air Force colonels were her “muscle men,” tasked with protecting their true identities.
Antiope raised a toast.
“To the future, and to ending our dependence on oil imports.”
The audience murmured in shock.
“Yes, you heard correctly,” she continued. “You have just witnessed the basics of controlled fusion. Our power beam can transmit energy over vast distances without loss. The experiment also produced antimatter fuel.”
“What guarantee do we have that it is safe?”
“Antiope Industries assumes full liability. We have utmost confidence in our engineers. We expect no losses, and therefore budget nothing for them.”
“Most business people would find that risky or foolish.”
“Most business people think only of profit, constrained by insurance adjusters. These fears have kept you oil-dependent. This technology is not new under the sun—the imagined risks are fraudulent, and I refuse to waste my investments satisfying these thieves. By insuring myself, I reveal my confidence. Dependence on oil, however, is risky and foolish. No one has enough faith in alternative energy to invest seriously—until now.”
She placed twenty-two pounds of gold on the table.
“Pure gold, gentlemen. Created from the beam. Antiope Industries intends to go global—not just operate in the U.S.”
“Will your technology be available to foreign nationals?”
“Yes, to those capable of understanding the technical details. Others will not have access.”
“What prevents terrorists from exploiting it?”
Jim interjected, “What protects us from global wars over a few drops of oil, or from public panic when terrorists seize supplies? Free energy solves these problems.”
“Free energy?”
“Exactly,” Antiope said. “Once a power plant is built, it produces fuel and energy beams, consuming nothing. We are creating our own energy in the truest sense.”
A hushed silence fell over the room.
One skeptic spoke, “We’ve heard promises like this before—nuclear power, for example. We still have waste disposal issues. How can we trust a technology we barely understand?”
Jim responded sharply, “You know little about power beyond the wall socket. Your minds are clouded by misconceptions. Left unchecked, your primitive thinking will lead to extinction or subjugation by Isis.”
“Perhaps dominion by Isis isn’t so bad,” another voice muttered.
Antiope stepped forward, placing a finger on Jim’s lips.
“As the Venetian ambassador representing Isis, I find the human creature detestable when it cannot heed educated reason over fear and fatalism. The great Qblh will arrive shortly to determine whether humanity will live as free beings or require domestication. Qblh rescued your planet from invasion recently. He left this project for your benefit. Apply your brains and effort to harness this technology. These two colonels have been entrusted with its details and dissemination. Those who follow Isis as pets may be rewarded—but do you wish to be human or beast?”
Qblh glared at the heckler but remained silent.
The remainder of the meeting proceeded on an optimistic note. Executives, though skeptical, were impressed by Antiope’s investment power. She had friends in high places and a reputation for decisive action. Overwhelming support followed, and she was booked for weeks of multi-million-dollar business conferences. Overseas markets immediately responded, reinvesting billions.
Antiope handled scheduling efficiently, giving Jim a few quiet moments. Few recognized him as the Venetian, and photographs were strictly controlled. John remained low-profile, unseen by most. Isis remained unaware of Jim’s presence.
Antiope addressed the audience one final time.
“Ladies and gentlemen, appreciate what we’ve demonstrated. Minimize tribal conflicts, and you will traverse the stars freely. This technology is not for conquest. Antiope Industries ensures all traces of the experiment are removed. Orbiting power stations will transmit energy to Earth at minimal cost. We follow Venetian law, not U.S. law. Qblh and Isis forbid human control of this technology until you fully comprehend it. May I introduce my partner? Helen, would you like to speak?”
“Yes, Antiope. Qblh will be the director of Antiope Industries, and we will serve as his chief executives.”
The audience was stunned.
“Anti-matter was required for time travel,” Helen continued. “Twenty-two pounds were created for his use. He came from the future to retrieve it. He cannot stay; he has an urgent date with Isis.”
Jim nudged John. “So, she lies occasionally.”
A question arose: “Is this truly an alien business transaction? Will you trade with Venetia as well as Earth?”
Helen smiled. “Yes. Antiope Industries alone conducts interstellar trade, taxed by Isis. Profits are shared with Earth investors; local governments collect taxes according to their laws. We will not interfere with Earth’s national infrastructures.”
Jim felt uneasy. Helen and Antiope had assumed Venetian law would govern all operations. Both knew they answered to Isis. Qblh recognized his challenge: maintain reason among chaos, faith among superstition, and dignity among buffoons.
Stranger in a strange land, he accepted the task. Go to my great city and proclaim the message I give you. Let humanity abandon violence; perhaps God will show mercy.
Cheap energy promised inexpensive labor. Humans could become intelligent, self-powered machinery under corporate management, easing the drudgery of work. With fixed resources, population growth must be managed. History had shown that great feats arose from necessity. Abundant times bred complacency; tribulation bred visionaries. Infinite energy would expand civilization’s potential.
Qblh needed his unit back at full power. Energy transfer was complete; Idiot would reach full readiness soon. He considered the evening ahead with Antiope.
