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Lpnet1 Lpnet2 Lpnet3 Sci-shorts-01 Sci-shorts-02 Sci-shorts-03 Sci-shorts-04 Gallery | Animation |
| Tsv-02-100 The Illusive R-Wing Chapter 1: Treezine Agent Chapter 2: Lisa Chapter 3: Unexpected Visitors Chapter 4: Knowledge is Power Chapter 5: A Piece of Sky Pie Chapter 6: The DGP Governor Chapter 7: Point Kapex, Lunaside Chapter 8: The Scenic Route Chapter 9: The Temspace Refraction Chapter 10: The Age of Aquarius Chapter 11: To Ride the R-Wing Chapter 12: Effects of the Tuniverseo |
3.
Unexpected Visitors
They spent a wonderful winter together. They both got lots of work done in their own areas and by April, he was ready to pop the question. But he didn't get the chance. While Lisa was out, 2 feds visited. They had learned about Scimonk, one of the zines he edited, and were interested in making a contribution. "We're not taking contributions at this time," he informed them. "We are filling orders and subscriptions. One year is $10; a single issue is going for $2." "We'd like to contribute to the company," the nice one said. "We understand it’s all for a good cause." "Well," he said, scratching his head, "if that's the case, you should submit a request for info through the VSP. If you support the VSP, we'll be happy to consider any contributions you have to make." Suddenly, the neutral one frowned and said, "Your claims are fantastic, Mr. Madkro. Do you honestly expect people to believe in the R-wing or any of those outrageous astronomical points?" Madkro smiled just a bit, with surprise, and retained his cool. "The truth is too often what people make it, when it could be so much more if they only comprehended the Unified Field Theory and the Relativity of Einstein." The guy laughed shortly, and got serious again. "The truth is not so far-out, Madkro. The truth is we're just getting bread-crumbs for our back-braking in DC today. The hard-reality is no science fiction novel, no matter how good. The space-program is failing because it has wasted too many resources and received no pay-back. Investors don't want to buy into high-risk, high-loss, and low-gain areas." "Quite true," Madkro agreed. "But the reason for this has more to do with crude-technology than anything else. We've based our tek on what we knew yesterday, and realize we must revise our tek to upgrade our systems. "Every time we go into space, we learn new things about it. It’s bound to be slow to begin with, but by the mid 21st century, we could have colonies on the moons of Jupiter, and systems upgraded 200 percent beyond the present." "200 per cent?" the man said, with some surprise, "that's a lot of upgrade for just 50 years." "Because it increases as we extend it," Madkro explained. "Of course," the man agreed. "I'll give you some free material," he decided, with a nod. "Give me a minute." He left them at the screen door, and when he returned with a couple of zines, the short pleasant one was holding a gun, pointed at his chest. "Sorry, Madkro," the tall, serious one said, "but you have to come with us. Step back inside, stay cool. We don't want any accidents. Let's be civil about this. We’ll let you pack a bag, but make it quick." "Who are you?" He said and stepped back into the apartment. "Federal agents," the man said, while his partner kept the gun on him. He showed Madkro the badge, but made it too quick for Madkro to study it. "I've done nothing wrong," he insisted. "What do you want from me?" "Don't act so innocent," the man said. "Dealing in government trade-secrets is treasonous without authorization. How's industrial espionage sound?" "I'm no spy" Madkro insisted. "You have no right!" "Quiet and pack your bag, or we'll take you without it," the short one barked. And so it went. The manager did his job well. He called the KNP connection right after the 2 strange men took Madkro away, and told them about it. "Secure his apartment," the voice on the other end said. "We'll send someone over for his records right away." |
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