HIGHER TECH (Complete Novel)

Chapter 1 -Unchained

"There is no more left!" The man looked around nervously. "What you are asking for is illegal," he said with a whisper. "Come back in three hours when business is slow, with less people around."

"No," said Arnold, you will do business with me now or you will regret it."

The man's eyes grew wider. He looked at Arnold's formidable stature. "Please," he pleaded, "come back later so we don't get caught."

"We will not get caught. Look around you. All these people are idiots. They don't know what is legal and what is not. I demand that you get me a type 3A modulator, now!" He leaned closer over the counter and said in a low solid voice, "You have thirty seconds to find one in good condition. Twenty-nine...twenty-eight..."

The man ran off to find the part among the shelves in the back. Truth be told, he was gone for thirty-five seconds when he returned sweating and hands shaking. Arnold said as he drew near the counter, "... three... two... just in time. You're fortunately you found it so quickly. I would hate to make a mess here, it would be such a waste. Thank you. I will pay you in full with untraceable foreign credits. Now, I would also like to inform you that this will not be our last business that we do together. I will come at unplanned times. That is, unplanned to you. When I arrive, you will look after me before any other customers no matter who they are or how long they have been waiting." He leaned forward as the skinny man drew back in fear. He reached out his hand, picked up the 3A modulator, examined it closely, turning it over in his hand. When he was satisfied, he said, "Thanks again," and stowed it in his pack. He put the device that contained the credits on the counter, turned and walked away.

It had only been two months since he had been discharged from the United Army. Their reasons were shrouded in ambiguity. They said his service with them was making him sick. Whatever that meant. He felt fine. In fact he felt great. Calm, confident and he felt he was finally headed in the right direction.

Discharged. More like unchained. In the forces, he felt so limited. Limited by the chain of command and all the bureaucratic garbage that jammed up the gears of what should have been a finely tuned machine. At first he was angry but now he was glad that they had unchained him from this military machine that was stuck in the the mud.

He would change everything. They didn't understand that he had this ability. However, they would soon see. They would see very clearly when the time came for him to make his first move in the public's eye. For now though, he would lay low and make careful preparations.

As he approached the small warehouse, he could see the light he had left on in the third office on the second floor. Everything was just as he left it. The front gate had a chain that he had replaced. This one allowed his six-foot three lean, but muscular frame through, but just barely. After he squeezed through he arranged it to look more secure. After he entered the building he went upstairs to the office and without sitting down, he pushed a button on his desk. "Darren, I would like to meet you in the shop as soon as you can be there."

"I'll be right there."

The shop looked better than when he saw it last. Now it looked like the piles of junk, were organized piles of junk. His loyal friend, Darren Trent was already there when he arrived.

"I like what you've done to the place. We'll be able to find what we need to find now."

"You were right about that. I'm sorry I let it get so out-of-hand."

"We'll get more accomplished now in less time without the quality of our work suffering." Holding up his pack, he said, "I have the parts we'll need for the next steps we need to take in building it."

"That's good, were they hard to acquire?"

"Not too difficult. I had to turn on my intimidation by a factor of only two this time. The man panicked, but pulled through for us in the end. I made sure he knew I'd be coming back."

"Are you sure that's wise? What if he has the authorities waiting for you next time?"

"Not a chance. He doesn't know when I'll be back and he's not the sort to want that kind of attention with all the illegal stuff he's got."

"Okay, sounds good. We now have all the parts for the next phase of testing our equipment and weapons. We'll be able to make further adjustments as we calibrate them for the exact specifications we have planned. If it is okay with you, I would like to make a suggestion."

"Sure, go right ahead, as long as it doesn't involve an apron, oven-mitts, and a stove."

"No," he chucked, "but it does involve you living here instead of your apartment. I think we could get much more accomplished if you were here all the time. I wouldn't have to wait for your arrival before asking questions about some procedure."

"Hmm, while the apartment is more comfortable. What we are doing now is much more important than enjoying the comforts of life. I agree, it is a waste of time and funds. Tomorrow, I'll terminate the apartment rental contract and bring my stuff here. Good suggestion Darren. Thanks. So, any progress on overcoming the threshold limitation barrier?"

"Come into the lab and I'll show you what I have achieved so far."

As he entered the lab he squinted because the light was brighter. The lab was much cleaner and very organized. Darren approached the table in the middle. He picked up his goggles and handed Arnold another pair. They both put them on. The lenses automatically darkened so that they could hardly see anything. Night vision came on and then everything was clear once again. With the adjusters built into the lenses everything was as clear as day. Darren picked up a small control box and pushed a button. Immediately, a bright beam the width of a broomstick shot out from the contraption and hit the wall. Darren turned it off and they both removed their goggles.

Arnold walked over to the wall to inspect the damage. He peered through the hole in the wall. He could see green light at the end of a deep channel. "Impressive. This is the first time that you actually reached the shield."

"Yes, remember the beam just disintegrated the strongest of various substances that we put in between here and there. It is enormously effective on construction materials, but it slices through everything I've thought about putting in front of it."

"The shield. Does it effectively stop it?"

"Only at the highest setting."

"That is fantastic. Well done, my friend."

"With the 3A modulator that you just purchased, we'll be able to broaden and increase the range of the beam."

"I can't wait to see the test results on that."

"I think we'll both be very satisfied when we do."