Scene V - The Works of William Gerard Russell

gulps.  Dr. Harrison stubbed out a cigarette in the overflowing ashtray, and immediately lit another.  All three were slumped in their chairs.

  "We've run that thing through damn near every testing process available.  Why in hell can't we come up with an answer?"

Douglas:   "Radio carbon dating does place the wood inlay at 500 years.  And the box is of unknown stone.  The box was poured into a mold

in the molten state, apparently at high temperature under controlled conditions.  Now, no Mayan had access to Acacia or could have produced

such a box.  Surely that is enough to present to the board.  Along with the computer analysis and data..."

Gerard:   "I know, I know.  But that's very little to go on.  The plaque.  We need to know more about the plaque, dammit."  Douglas flung a

              cigar, missing the ashtray.  Harrison retrieved it.

  Professor Gerard continued.  "We can show the board the computer analyzes of the plaque's volume and density.  The computer can't even

identify the element- or alloy, well whatever it is.  Show them the photographs of the inscription, do the diamond scratch test.  Isn't that

enough?"

   Professor Douglas was silent.

   "I have something I'd like to try with the plaque, that is, if you don't mind Professor Douglas."  Dr Harrison broke a three hour silence.

   Douglas eyed him curiously, then, "what is it?"

   "I've worked in electronics, high frequencies, ... ultrasonics.  I'd like to shoot an ultrasonic wave through the plaque and have the computer

analyze the feedback."

   "Do you have this equipment with you?"

   Harrison took a long drag on his cigarette.  "I hope you won't find me out of line, but ...  I called my assistant at ULTRA LABS, asking him

to bring the equipment over in a van.  I took the liberty of using the phone in the hall, but charged it to my home number."  Dr Harrison

pointed to a television monitor bracketed high above their heads in a corner of the lab's waiting room.

   A large green van was parked outside the locked gates, the driver was asleep.  A guard walked his post inside the gate.  "He's been there for

the past three and a half hours.  I had coffee and donuts sent out to him."

   Professor Douglas and Gerard gazed absently at the screen.  Suddenly Gerard's mouth broke into a wide, amused grin.  Douglas brightened

a little.

   "Bring him in!"

   "Ah, He needs clearance from two members of the board or consultants to U.C.I.F. Professor Douglas."

   "Right, right."  Douglas rose from his chair.  "Professor Gerard, come with me to the lobby."

   They exited quickly to a direct lobby elevator.  Upon the door's opening, they rushed to a control panel behind the receptionist's desk.

An array of television monitors, cameras and mics were built into the wall.  Professor Douglas picked up a telephone, dialing the main gate.

Douglas:   "Hello, main gate?"

Gate:        "Yes."  Douglas could see him on monitor 1.

Douglas:   " This is Professor Douglas.  There is a green van from ULTRA LABS parked outside the gate with some vital equipment of ours,

                would you let him in."

Gate:        "Identify yourself please.  What is your code number?"  The guard on a monitor and video recorder.

Douglas:    "C-889-Y906"

Gate:          "I can't see you."

Douglas:     "Oh, these cameras, I'm not familiar with ... Professor Gerard would you see if you can ..."  Douglas motioned at the cameras.

                 Gerard looked over the array of switches and tried a few. "Can you see me now?"

Gate:          "Just a moment, can you adjust the focus?"

    Gerard moved a lenses until the guard said it was okay.  "I thought these things were self-adjusting", muttered Gerard.

Gate:         "Alright, one more time, your number?"

Douglas:     "C-889-Y906"

Gate:          " Place your hand on the Sensa-plate please.  Repeat the assigned code word"

Douglas:     "Aqua." The computer whirred into life.  The two could see the printout arriving at the guard's post.

Gate:          "This checks out.  As you know, I need another authorized person, to allow this guy in."

Gerard:       "I'm Professor Gerard."  He moved within camera range.

Gate:           "Code number please"

Gerard:        "R-004-U753"

Gate:            "Hand on Sensa-plate and repeat your code word."

Gerard:         "Salamander"

   Once again the computer checked it's memory bank and fed the results to the guard.  "All checks out."

   The guard moved forward.  "Hey, buddy.  HEY BUDDY."

    The van driver awoke.  "What? ..."

   "You can come in now.  Drive up to loading platform 3."  The guard pushed a series of buttons, the gates swung inward.  The van moved

slowly.  He picked up the phone, "The van will be at loading dock 3."

  "Thank you", said Professor Gerard.  Douglas had already sped off to the platform.  Gerard dialed the lab.

   "Hello."

   "This is grandpa, James.  Meet me at loading dock 3.  The van will be there."

   "Great, I'll be there in a minute."

   Professors Douglas, Gerard, and Harrison hauled the equipment to the lab service elevator.  Pragmatically, they decided to allow the driver to

wake fully lest he stumble in his drowsiness and drop the delicate machinery.  They left him in the lobby with a  pint of strong coffee, but he

drifted off again on a soft cushiony couch. and slept 'til morning when a guard rousted him, leading him out of the building.

   Dr. Harrison had the sonic equipment set up in minutes.  He placed the plaque on a non-conducting hard rubber plate on a work table.  On

either side were wired instruments similar to tuning forks.  Another wire led from a small suction cup attached to the plaque to BERTHA, the lab

computer.

   "This unit over here', Harrison explained, "will send an ultra-sonic wave through the two transmission units.  This shield", Harrison placed a

half sphere over the plaque, two inlets diametrically opposite each other could be seen partially inside, "is specially treated with a reflective /

deflective coating on the inside, something like a two way mirror.  You can see in the sphere but if you were to be in here, you couldn't see

out."  Jacking into the two units, he continued, "when the frequencies are fed through the units, because of the shield, they have no where

to go.  Each cannot enter the other, the opposing frequencies prohibit that.  They will be forced to enter the only conveyance available, in this

case, the plaque.  The wire attached to the plaque will run the resulting wave modulation to BERTHA for analyzes."  He paused, "this is really

a fat hunch Professor Douglas."

Douglas:  "What do you mean?  I was under the impression this process had been used previously."

Harrison:  "It has ... on known materials.  With remarkable results.  But with an unknown element, I can't say how the unit will behave.  Yet,

I feel that if a superior intelligence, maybe even extraterrestrial; if I may postulate, created this plaque, then they must have had an extensive

knowledge of ultra-sonics.  And this plaque may be reasoned with ULTRA LABS' process."

   "James, how safe will this be", asked Professor Gerard.

   " Safe enough.  The sound is always an indeterminate factor.  I've rigged a remote with which I may operate the unit from the adjoining

room.  Here is a device designed to protect your ears.  Looks much like earphones, but there is a contraption you turn on to create a sonic

block.  Professor Douglas, Gerard."  Harrison handed each a unit, went into the next lab, followed by the professors and shut the heavy metal,

lead lined door.  A television monitor was connected by which manner they could see the happenings in the first lab.  Harrison sat down at

the control panel, eyes fixed on the monitor.  Douglas and Gerard stood behind.  The scene was reminiscent of a low budget sci-fi horror movie.

All three wearing weird headgear, in a room with exotic, humming computers.

  Dr Harrison pressed a button, the sonic unit was on, indicated by a red light.  He set the dial at low power for the first frequency, and did

the same for the second.  The red light went off.  

Harrison:   "When the frequencies build to the intensity whereby they are deflecting around the inside of the shield, the light indicator will flash.

                The time intervals between flashes marks the degree of the wave's strength.  Upon reaching the point when they no longer,

                because of their force, can bounce around, they will enter the plaque.  Since there is always 'sonic leakage', the green light to my

                right will activate if the 'leakage' becomes hazardous or goes beyond safety level.  When the light is on, switch on your headgear."

  "Leakage, Dr Harrison?  How can this process perform successfully", Professor Douglas questioned.     

  "Professor, this shield bears resemblance in theory to a balloon with a small hole in it, being inflated continuously, or a sink with a small leak

constantly having water run into it.  Although there is a hole, the sink or balloon can never be emptied completely unless their respective

contents are stopped.  Then, in time the object empties.  The 'sonic-leakage' is not detrimental, therefore, as long as more sonic waves are

being shot into the shield.  Now watch the green light.  Be ready to activate your sonic blocks if necessary."

  The indicator began flashing every nine seconds.  Dr. Harrison eyed the monitor, hands on dials.  After a minute, the unit reached maximum

output on low.  Professor Douglas glanced at BERTHA.  Harrison moved the frequency dials to medium.  The red light flashed at 7 second

intervals.  Again, the frequencies attained maximum output on medium.  Both professors ogled BERTHA, it's data reels motionless.  Harrison

was sweating.  Slowly he moved the dials to high, the flash intervals reduced from 5 to 1 seconds.  The green light blinked urgently.  Harrison

motioned for the Professors to use the sonic blocks, as he had activated his.  The wavelength light now remained on, indicating  maximum

output of the unit.  There were thirty seconds before the unit would be a hazard, at which time Harrison would have to shut it down.  He

BERTHA was silent.  Harrison was pushing, waiting for something, anything to happen - to the plaque - before he would shut the unit off.  

   Douglas screamed, "turn it off.  You'll kill us."

   Three seconds away from unit destruct, Harrison managed to grab the switch.  The red and green lights faded, the sonics ceased pounding

their minds.  Gerard collapsed.

   Professor Douglas and Harrison hurried to Gerard's side.  He revived quickly.  They thought he had suffered a heart attack, but it was the

strain of the sonic waves on his system, causing him to faint.  Douglas and Harrison helped him to his feet.

  "I'm fine now.  I'll be alright."  He turned looking at BERTHA. "Nothing", he said quietly."

  Douglas picked a stack of papers up from the table and threw them angrily to the floor.  Slowly they became cognizant of a hum.  Douglas

and Gerard froze, listening.  Harrison swung around to face the monitor.  The hum was from the speaker, but more importantly, the plaque was

glowing.

  "What in god's name is that", Douglas said in amazement.  The hum increased.

Harrison:    "I think ... yes, the plaque is reacting."

    "But the computer isn't, "sniffed Douglas.  

    The hum became a grating whine.  The white glow increased.  In a sudden flash, the plaque flared up.  The monitor went blank.  The whine

screeched , then died.  Harrison immediately checked for radiation.  Result: negative.  The men stepped into the first lab.  Inching forward, they

saw the shield had been cracked, melted.  A clacking arose, a whirring, familiar sound.  Familiar ... BERTHA was busy spewing printouts.

Harrison picked up a detection unit and examined the plaque.  Some sort of wave modulation was being produced, and according to the

detector, increasing.

    DATING  DATING ...  ...  ... APPROXIMATELY ... ... INDETERMINATE.  TEN THOUSAND YEARS, FOUR MONTHS, SIX DAYS, ELEVEN HOURS,
FIFTY THREE MINUTES, EIGHT SECONDS, FOURTEEN ONE THOUSANDTH MICROSECONDS ... ... ...

   "What the hell kind of gibberish is that", Douglas asked as he fingered the printouts which were coming out very rapidly.

   "Seems BERTHA's having quite a time deciphering this feedback", said Harrison, "and it is increasing in strength, every 18 seconds."

   "By how much?", Gerard shouted above BERTHA's din.

   "I can't measure it.  There's something in the signal.  BERTHA is converting it to electrical impulses ... ... somehow."
 
   "She's pretty well advanced as computers go", added Douglas, obviously pleased at the amount of strange figures being printed out.

   "Well she's using a terrific amount of power.  Notice she's printing the answers only.  She isn't speaking", Harrison informed the two men

in alarm.

 Gerard looked up nervously, then nodding in the direction of Douglas who was feverishly poring over the printouts.  "Should we shut her

down?", he asked.

   Douglas caught Gerard's question and shouted, "shut her down, why the hell should we do that?  Look at all this information."

   "What kind of information is that, Professor?  Nonsense.  That's what it is.  And BERTHA appears to be able to take the strain.  She is

using all her power to convert the signal from the plaque to printouts, she isn't speaking.  And that terrible clacking sound is the result of

her data reels being overworked.  Look!  Not even the signal lights are working.  The signal's increasing in power and she'll blow!  Do you

want to explain the loss of the most highly advanced computer, worth 300 million, to the financial board!", Gerard bellowed.

   Douglas straightened, worried.  "Give it a minute more", he pleaded.  

   "It has less than a minute before all it's circuits are blown by this ... ... this signal", Gerard retorted.  

   "Just a few seconds more!"

   They waited.  BERTHA threw printouts at tremendous force.  The detector tapped a warning on it's screen:  TEN SECONDS UNTIL

OVERLOAD.  Harrison held up the message.  Gerard  reached for the switch, closed it... ... the computer continued to operate!  

    Harrison yelled, "the wire, disconnect it."

   As Gerard lunged at the wire, BERTHA stopped.  The printouts ceased.  The data reels came to a halt.  Harrison measured the signal.

The detector showed no decreasein power.  Had the signal burnt out BERTHA?  Gerard looked over the computer.  Peering through a pane

of green Plexiglass in her third section he saw two reels, like a tape or video recorder moving.

   "James look at this", he called.  Harrison walked swiftly across the large room, sidestepping the heap of printouts.  He too saw the reels.

Aiming the detector at the device.  They discovered the signal from the plaque being fed into the recorder.

   I AM SORRY BUT THE STRENGTH OF YOUR INPUT WAS TOO POWERFUL FOR MY BANKS.  I AM PLACING THE FEED ON TAPE.

   Harrison, Gerard, and Douglas jerked their heads in the direction of the voice.  BERTHA was speaking.

   "Bertha old girl, we thought you'd burnt out", Douglas said in relief.

   NO SIR, it said in a husky but feminine manner.  YOUR INPUT WAS A HAZARD.  I HAD TO TRANSFER IT.

   "That wasn't our intention", said Harrison, "in fact it wasn't necessarily our signal.  Could you tell us what you meant?"

   WHAT IT MEANT?  SURELY YOU KNOW THE ORIGIN OF THE INPUT ... ... It whirred for a few seconds, I DO NOT RECOLLECT A

DIRECTIVE.

   "No, there wasn't a directive given.  This was purely hypothetical.  We meant no harm.  Don't you remember anything?  There's

a mound of printouts here."

   PRINTOUTS?  I DID NOT DO ANYTHING.  MY HAZARD CIRCUIT ACTIVATED ONLY A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I TRANSFERED THE FEED.  
AND DR. HARRISON, A COMPUTER OF MY CALIBER  SHOULD NEVER BE USED WITH UNTRIED OR 'PURELY HYPOTHETICAL' REASON.

   That's all very well", Harrison retorted, a bit ruffled by BERTHA's rebuff, "but you were printing out and analyzing the signal"  He fed

the printout back in.  "What about this?"

    BERTHA clacked, analyzing the information.  Then:  THIS IS ALIEN TO ME.  BUT IT IS QUITE EVIDENT THAT MY CONVERSION UNIT

WAS BEING OPERATED.  I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE SIGNAL WAS TRYING TO TRANSLATE ITSELF, USING MY FACILITIES.

   "What about this element breakdown.  At one point in the printout, you, or the signal if you wish, came up with what appears to be an

aluminum isotope.  AL, atomic number thirteen, atomic mass 7.693.  That would be an aluminum isotope wouldn't it."

   YES IT WOULD.  APPARENTLY OTHER UNITS WITHIN WERE AFFECTED.  WHAT METHOD DID YOU USE TO ACHIEVE SIGNAL?

   "An ultra-sonic wave modulation.  Here, just a minute."  He punched in he formula.

   WHAT WAS THE SUBJECT'S COMPOSITION?  ALL OTHER FACTORS ARE ACCEPTABLE EXCEPT THAT.

   "We don't know.  It's an unknown element or alloy.  But your element analyzes shows an aluminum isotope.  Does that mean the

plaque is a 'stable', uniform aluminum isotope?

    NO.  IT APPEARS THAT AT ONE POINT THE PLAQUE WAS AN ALUMINUM ISOTOPE.  THE ULTRA-SONIC APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED A
MOLECULAR CHANGE. ... ...

   "What about now?  Can you scan the plaque?"

   BERTHA complied.

   "Well", said Harrison

   BY ALL STANDARDS ... ... I CANNOT FIND A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION ... ... GENTLEMEN THIS PLAQUE DOES NOT EXIST ... ... AT LEAST

NOT AS WE KNOW METALS.  IF IT WERE A UNIFORM ALUMINUM ISOTOPE, THAT WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE, BUT NOT WHOLLY

IMPROBABLE ... ... AS MY FIND STANDS, THIS PLAQUE, BY ALL STANDARDS HERETOFORE,AND MORE CREDIBLE THEORIES ...  ...  DOES

NOT EXIST.  IT IS OF NO KNOWN ELEMENT.  IT'S PROPERTIES ARE ENTIRELY ALIEN TO ANY PRACTICAL OR THEORETICAL ALLOYS.

   Gerard, Douglas, and Harrison stood, staring at BERTHA.  In her cold calculating process she had uttered the answer/non answer they

were unknowingly searching for.  The paradox, explainable, yet unexplainable.  Douglas sprung out of the lab, to the elevator. Harrison and

Gerard chased after, shouting, "Professor Douglas, where in hell are you going?!"

   "To the telephones.  Where else would I go", he said, perturbed at the slowness of their uptake.  "I've got to call off the meeting for a

few days, until we can get our presentation together."

   Gerard stopped, remembering, but Harrison, not being knowledgeable of U.C.I.F. operations continued, "but the meeting's in a day and

a half.  How can you call it off?"

   "How can I call off the meeting?  Oh, Dr Harrison you are quite unaqainted with our procedure."  The three were in the elevator.

"Under Provision 46 of the code of U.C.I.F. and I quote,  an already scheduled quarterly conference may be postponed for a period of

not more than one week if  1) The President of the United States so requests, with or without an act of Congress, 2) A unanimous or

majority vote of not less than three quarters of the total membership of the United Nations so requests, 3) Professional researchers

employed by U.C.I.F. show good cause (e.g. discoveries of strong scientific theory) or", they were in the lobby now "4) non paid

consultants to U.C.I.F. (using same criteria as number 3)."

   Douglas was about to pick up the "hotline", the phone connected to the 24 hour U.C.I.F. science line when Gerard spoke up.  "But

Professor Douglas, our evidence is slim.  'Discoveries of strong scientific theory' you said.  Almost everything we've done in the past 32 hours

has been on hunches.  The little data we have on the box, the wood inlay and the cloth are interesting at the least, strange at most.

And BERTHA's odd printouts are a jumble of figures and symbols.  It could take years of extensive sound research to make anything of them,

We've not even used the scientific method!"

   "Yes", said Douglas, punching out the number, "and it is precisely that massive, seemingly senseless amount of data that we will use.

The more difficult to explain the better.  And of course there's always BERTHA's deviant behavior.  Do you know of anyone here who will call