Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Washington, D.C.
Two weeks later.
Dr. Peter Highnam sat back in his plush leather chair and smiled as he casually skimmed the report. Sarah knew he had already previously read it and had his analysts examine and report on it. This was just a formality.
"Quite the introduction I'm getting," laughed Dr. Highnam, "I was only just appointed director of IARPA last week. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into."
Sarah smiled, "If I can handle this, I'm pretty sure a man with your credentials can handle this." She wasn't being insincere. Sarah familiarized herself with Dr. Highnam prior to the meeting. He had an impressive resume. She wished she had him on her team in Belize.
"Well I know those two," he said pointing to two portraits hanging in his office. The first one was of President Barak Obama; the second was the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, "have a great deal of faith in me, so I don't plan on disappointing."
Dr. Highnam shifted forward in his seat and placed the report on his desk, his demeanor remained light, "I don't have to tell you that your project has been approved and is being fast-tracked through the next stage. I just have a couple of questions and then I will hand you over to the next office."
Sarah just nodded; it was obvious he wasn't going to bring her into his office just to tell her something she already knew and a phone call could just as easily confirmed.
"How is David Simon?"
Okay, she didn't expect that question, but that didn't matter, "He's fine except for, uh, an unusual side-effect. The burns on his hands and chest are healing. The doctors say he won't need skin grafts but he will have some minor scarring. His prognosis is otherwise excellent."
"That's good news. Now the name: TAO-2?"
"Ah yes, it stands for The Alien Obelisk. The Belize artifact was TAO-1; a hypothetical Far East Obelisk would be designated TAO-3 and the Obelisk that was observed on the alien world is designated as TAO-Alpha."
"Have you been able to locate TAO-2 yet?"
"No, I haven't been able to go over the radar data yet. It will be difficult; an Obelisk has a small footprint, so it will show up as a single pixel of black. The trick will be to differentiate it from a pixel of lost data."
"Well fortunately we have the resources to help you. Now do you accept Dr. Boynton's belief that he can move TAO-2?"
"Yes, as outlined in the report, his rationale is basically sound. I wouldn't be here if I didn't accept it."
"Now I believe he is asking assistance of a mathematician…" Dr. Highnam paused and picked up the report and started to flip through it. Sarah could tell that he was struggling over the name.
"Dr. Stefan Ptaszek of the University of Arizona," prompted Sarah, "Dr. Boynton is trying to create a Base 6 spatial and temporal co-ordinate system with an adaptive algorithm that can be modified to suit whatever system the control console uses. The math is a little beyond Alex, uh, Dr. Boynton's ability and he needs the help. Is that going to be a problem?"
"Uh," Dr. Highnam started rifling through some folders. He found what he was looking, and gave a broad smile, "Ah, yes. Dr. Ptaszek already has government security clearance through work he has done for the NSA. We will pass the information along to them so they can quietly inform Dr. Ptaszek about the sensitive nature of Dr. Boynton's work. He won't have to worry about being discreet. Now I do have a serious question to ask you. If the Egyptian government were to find out what you are up to, all the goodwill you have built up with them, all the work you've done for them will mean nothing. You become persona non-grata; you will be barred for life from that country. Ancient Egypt will be forever lost to you. Are you prepared for the consequences of your actions?"
Sarah swallowed hard, "It's not something I take lightly. I realize this could take me down a new career path, but I feel it is something that is too important to not pursue."
"Now finally I see that you requested the use of Groom Lake Air Force Base as the location to move TAO-2 and to serve as a research facility for it."
"Yes, the remoteness of it, as well as the high security make it an ideal location, assuming of course that they have the space. I'm hoping they have an empty hanger that we can use."
"Well that decision requires a much higher security clearance then what I have. I can assure you all the different options will be looked at, and whatever location is decided on, it will meet all your needs." Dr. Highnam paused and smiled, "Of course if they do choose Groom Lake, you know what that means."
Sarah laughed, "Yes I do."
Tiburon, CA
Three days later.
Sarah pulled into the driveway of her home. Their domicile was a large sprawling ranch-style house. By most standards it would be considered to be affluent. By Tiburon standards it was considered 'modest'. Sometimes Sarah missed their first house in Berkley. It was small, but it was within walking distance of the University, and on long commute days, she would often wistfully wish she was back in that house. Today, however, after a long flight and a long car ride that contained a necessary detour, she was happy to be back home. Right now she just wanted nothing more than to lay back in her favourite comfy chair with a glass of wine, listening to some light jazz and reveling in the luxury.
Sarah grabbed her duffel bag with all her personal items and walked towards the house. She would come back for the rest of her stuff after she had a chance to relax. She tried the front door and found it to be unlocked; Rick must be home. She entered and dropped her bag on the floor with a thud, and inhaled deeply. One of the things that not too many people know about Rick is his passion for gourmet cooking. Sarah could tell from the smell that he was busy in the kitchen and whatever it was he was cooking set off pangs of hunger in her. Perhaps the wine can wait…
Rick popped his head from behind some cabinets, "Sarah! I wasn't expecting you!"
"I wanted to surprise you."
Rick rushed over to his wife and embraced her with passion. It was a month since they last saw each other.
"I didn't think you would be back for another month."
Sarah gave a weary smile, "Turned out to be an elaborate hoax. What a mess that was. The excavation process they used destabilized the cave causing it to collapse. Luckily only one person was hurt. It could have been much worse."
"Wow! Well I'm glad you're home now, you look a little roughed up."
"Yeah, it was a long flight. A long drive too. I got a call when I landed and had to make a detour to the University. I've been asked to go on a dig in Egypt next May. The Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities is looking at doing some digs around Abydos related to the Second Dynasty and the pharaoh Khasekhemwy."
Rick looked at her with suspicious eyes, "Now that sounds like a made up name."
Sarah stammered in shock at the accusation, however a broad smile broke across his face and a loud laugh escaped his lips, "I'm kidding, I love it when you geek out."
Sarah playfully smacked him and they leaned in and kissed passionately. The kind of kiss of lovers separated for too long…
"You two should get a room!"
A startled Sarah looked over and saw her gothic/punk daughter Holly with arms crossed looking at her parents with disdain. The pink hair was new.
"What are you doing home?" then Sarah looked at Rick, "What is she doing home?"
Rick let out a sigh of exasperation, "Trust me, you don't want to know."
"I am being unfairly persecuted!" Holly said with an air of indignation.
"Fine," retorted Rick, "why don't you protest by refusing to use the computer, iPad, cell phone or any electronic device ever. I figure it should collapse the California economy within a week, and then everyone will come crawling back to you seeking forgiveness."
As the fight continued, Sarah went over to a nearby counter and put her head down. Suddenly the next nine months seemed very long…
Kaieteur Falls, Kaieteur National Park, Guyana
Five months later.
The Kaieteur is a majestic waterfall that has the waters of the Potaro River cascade an impressive 226 metres down into its lower gorge. However right now the water flow has slowed to a trickle and despite being in a rainforest, the dry season has settled in. The air is hot and humid but the sky is a cloudless blue showing no signs that it's about to release its moisture.
Several streaks of lightning suddenly arc out of the gorge into the still cloudless sky. Their boom causes the many resting birds to fly away in terror and calls of alarm from multiple species spread through the forest. A glowing ball appears next to the falls. The energy that it's emitting starts to cause the moisture in the humid air to collect and a brand new cloud bank starts to form building higher and higher into the sky. Rain starts to fall, wind starts to swirl and this time lightning strikes from the building thunderheads to the ground below.
As the maelstrom spreads across the region, the atmosphere releasing its grip on its water in a torrential downpour, a small creature falls screaming from the centre of the glowing sphere. The creature is lizard-like about the size of a chicken with a long tail and neck, small sharp teeth in its mouth, and with green and brown mottled skin colouring and prominent yellow spots. The creature also has some bird-like qualities. It is bipedal; with three toes on each foot, and it still possesses some of the downy feathers that it was born with. Unfortunately for the creature though instead of wings, it has two forearms with three fingers on each hand and a prominent claw as its middle digit. That twist in evolution dooms the creature.
As a small mercy the creature strikes an outstretched branch breaking its neck. It is dead before it hits the mossy rocks below.
A kilometre downstream, two zoologists climb to escape the suddenly rising water and to seek shelter from the violent rainstorm.