“Still, you must have some thoughts on this,” Snapp pressed.
“I believe Dan may be right. I think at first many people will be enticed by the adventure and potential wealth they could discover. If some rare mineral like gold or diamonds or even Uup-115 is found who knows how many will decide to take the risk? Sort of like the land grab when the west was opened up. The adventure will be too alluring for some to turn down. But,” he said, taking a drink of Diet Coke, “It may not be a big enough number or, once they get there, they may find out it was harder than they expected and want to return to Earth,” he said.
“Humm. I don’t know if all that many will want to leave everything behind but I suppose we always have those who are adventurers. They like the challenge of being on the cutting edge. Listen, not to change the subject but you mentioned a weapon.”
“No, you mentioned a weapon, I happen to agree,” he said.
“Are you talking about what goes on at Level-10?” Barnett asked.
“Level–10? I thought there were only nine levels,” Snapp said.
“Everyone is supposed to think that, but almost everyone knows about Level–10. It is impossible to keep secrets in S–4,” Barnett replied.
“And they are working on a weapon?”
“That’s the rumor,” Lake added.
“What kind of a weapon?”
“That I don’t know. Maybe you do Dan?” Lake said.
“All I know is that it is more powerful that anything ever produced. It is some kind of a photon weapon,” Dan replied.
“This is star wars stuff,” Snapp said.
“Whatever Devin is doing, he is trying to keep it under tight wraps. I only heard small bits and pieces,” Dan told him.
“I hadn’t heard it was a photon weapon until just now. I did suspect that it was unlike anything we have ever seen though,” added.
“What is the purpose of the weapon?” George asked.
“For that, you would have to ask General Devin,” Lake replied.
“How long before it’s finished?” Snapp asked.
“George, we have no way of knowing that. I heard a rumor that they were only a month away from testing the thing but that could be just smoke. No one knows that information except Devin and the team working on it,” Lake said.
“I’m sorry sir that is just not possible. I have your information down and I will have one of the aides call you,” the operator said.
“I don’t want to talk to an aide. Listen carefully, this concerns national security. It is of the gravest importance that the President talk to me,” Snapp said.
“I understand sir. We get many calls every day that are about the nation’s security. The President of the United States does not have the time to talk personally to everyone who calls the White House. It may well be in the interest of national security but I’m sorry, you will just have to go through the same procedure as everyone else.”
“I am not some crazy nut off the street. Whom can I talk to about this?”
“An aide will call you with more information, good day sir,” she said and hung up
“Don’t…,” but it was too late.
He slammed the handset back in the cradle. Damn it, there had to be some way to get to the right people. This was totally new territory for him. Maybe he should try Homeland Security or the CIA. He didn’t put much hope in that either. He thought that calling the White House would end up being an exercise in futility, and sure enough, he was right.
He got out the Government Directory and looked up the number for the Department of Homeland Security.
“US Government Department of Homeland Security,” a male voice answered.
“I don’t know how to start exactly. I have…”
“Could you state your name please,” the man said, interrupting him.
“George Snapp.”
“Thank you Mr. Snapp. Now, what can we do for you?”
“As I was saying, I don’t know exactly how to start. First of all, I am an investigative reporter. I came by some information that concerns our national security. Specifically, it concerns a project going on that may not be authorized by our government,” Snapp said, thinking how corny that must sound.
“And how did you come by this information Mr. Snapp?”
“Two scientists who worked in a nearby facility passed the information on to me. It is serious enough that I think someone should check it out. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Mr. Snapp. Are you aware of the penalties for gathering information on government projects? We call it treason. Are you saying you’re gathering information about classified government projects?” the voice had become less friendly.
“Look. I’m not a spy and I’m not trying to sell anything. I just think someone should check the possibility of an unauthorized project. I’m just trying to do the right thing,” George said.
“Sir. I appreciate that, but did you ever consider that the information you received could be disinformation? Something to send you on a wild goose chase, so to speak?”
“No, I don’t believe that. These two men are the top in their fields. They have no reason to give me disinformation,” he said, becoming exasperated.
