***** Vol.5 Chap.15 Incredible technology *****
Once Frank, May-Ling, and Kristin were convinced that they were alone, Kristin turned to the group and said, “Well, what a likely story. This is the biggest farce I have ever heard.”
“I am not sure this is a farce. The video looks real enough.” Frank replied. “Besides, it is highly conceivable that Glybiana would do something like this. Also, Elijah’s story collaborated with the CNN news that we have all heard.”
“You may be right. I am not surprised that Glybiana is not the only country working on biological warfare.”
“I am sure the United States also has some secret labs somewhere that we don’t know either.”
“But this whole setup of sub-terrain caverns and video on the wall got me spooked. I have never seen technology so advanced like this.”
“I am with you on this.” Frank responded.
“Everything here is so unnatural. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable in technology, but I have never seen technology like this.”
“I have never seen doors appearing and disappearing till now,” added May-Ling.
“I think I am quite savvy with technology, but even sci-fi movies do not have appearing and disappearing doors. This technology we are seeing here is so far advanced that I cannot even fathom or dream of.” Frank said.
“I must still be in a bad dream and have never woken up yet.” Kristin responded.
They were all silent for a while lost in their own bewilderment.
“Who is this Elijah fellow?” As usual, Kristin broke the ice again.
“He said he is a cosmic guardian.”
“What is a cosmic guardian?”
“Who knows?” May-Ling said.
“I think we should be discussing our problem rather than marveling at the technology or at our predicament right now.” Frank said.
“You think the crisis is real?” Kristin asked.
“I think so.” Frank said. Then he turned to May-Ling and asked, “What do you think?”
“It sounds real enough for me.”
“You seemed to be outnumbered, Kristin.” Frank joked.
“I am always outnumbered. Pinch me and wake me up, please!” Kristin demanded.
Frank moved over and pinched her hard on the arm.
“Harder! I am still here.” Kristin yelled. Frank pinched her even harder.
“Ouch! Okay, okay!”
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They all sat laughing at Kristin and looking at one another in amazement for a while.
“Okay, I have an idea! How about we try out this wall and test it out.” Kristin said. There seemed to be general agreement among the three of them.
So, Kristin turned to the wall and said, “Show me the Mayflower.” Instantly the Mayflower appeared. The ship was bopping up and down in the Bermuda Triangle.
“Show me the bridge.” The image changed. They saw a life-sized Captain Jonas barking out orders lividly and pacing back and forth at the bridge. They have no sound, but they saw plenty of actions on the bridge. There were officers running back and forth. Then she spotted the calendar.
“Enlarge the image on the calendar on the wall.” The image shifted to show the calendar.
She thought for a moment. The calendar showed just the next day from her escape in the sub from the ship.
“Show me George.” The image showed George busily washing dishes in the kitchen. The letter she gave George should still be at his back pocket. She thought she seemed to see a small corner of the letter showing from his pocket.
Good, George is okay and he still has the letter. Kristin thought to herself.
“Show me the lower deck.” The image shifted to the lower deck of the Mayflower.
Kristin could see the empty spot where the submersible used to sit. There were cables dangling around. She saw several deep-sea divers suited up ready to get into the water. There were officers shouting at the crew. There were lots of on-lookers, must be the distinguished scientists getting in on the excitement.
“Where is the sub?” This time, the image shifted to the floor of the cavern.
The sub was lying there undisturbed. She saw a few crabs came to investigate this alien craft. Then she saw her diving gear nearby just the way. She remembered she was sitting down next to a boulder while she was admiring the various things around her. Well, the image showed her suit in the same posture.
Kristin sat back down on the chair in amazement and astonishment. “Okay, this is real and in real-time also. I am satisfied. Anyone else?” She said in a resigned tone.
It was now May-Ling’s turn.
“Please show me the clinic?”
The wall shows the entrance of the Tsai-Chen clinic without delay.
“Wow, this ‘machine’ must read minds. It even knows which clinic you want!” exclaimed Kristin.
“Impressive!”
“What is happening in the clinic right now?” May-Ling asked. The wall slowly showed a slideshow of the sitting room, the examination rooms, and the lounge.
“Enlarge the calendar on the desk in the reception room.” The image showed the same date that Kristin saw from the Mayflower image. The image showed several nurses frantically trying to admit the patients at the admission desk. There were a long line leading out to the door.
“Please show me Examination Room #2 please.” May-Ling had a hunch something was happening. Sure enough, she saw pandemonium ensuing in the room. There were two violent patients throwing everything in sight at a couple of orderlies who were standing guard at the door protecting the nurses behind.
“Oooo…” May-Ling jumped up as if she wanted to help but felt the stone-cold wall in front of her. Resigned, she went back to her seat.
“This is not your clinic anymore.” Kristin said.
“I guess you are right.”
“You must leave the clinic and its operation to the local doctors.” Frank also chimed in to console her.
“You are right.”
“Please show me the village.” The image shifted to the village at the top of the mountain. She saw that the villagers were alright. They were going about doing their farming. However, she did notice that there were a few guards milling around the village.
“Show me the cavern entrance.” The image shifted and she immediately saw two guards posted at the entrance of the cavern. They must be waiting for her to come out. Her guess was no one would be allowed to go in and out of the cavern. Their idea was to starve her till she come out.
She thought the Boss might have also sent guards to the village to apprehend her in case she showed up. But she was happy that the villagers were not harmed. She thought perhaps the Boss was indeed a reasonable person. He knew the gang depended on the villages for food and in turn the gang provided protection and privacy. This was an interesting symbiotic relationship between the good and the bad. She was intrigued. She filed the thought and vowed to study this relationship some more later.
As long as the villagers were safe, May-Ling was satisfied. “I have seen enough.” The wall instantly went blank.
They all looked at Frank. Frank shook his head. “I am convinced that we have tested this technology. There is nothing in my past or present that I want to know. Let’s move on.”
Everyone nodded.