MINIMCOM steals the cloak
Yesterday, I discussed the Deucadon's mastery of conduit technology. We know that MINIMCOM studied the techniques used by these underground dwellers and adapted them into a cloak of invisibility. Instead of using conduits or light pipes, he used miniature PPT Tunnels to transmit light bi-directionally.
Here is the scene, at the beginning of Part 3 of Rome's Revolution where he revealed his new abilities and admits he stole it from the Deucadons although he used a nicer word:
Here is the scene, at the beginning of Part 3 of Rome's Revolution where he revealed his new abilities and admits he stole it from the Deucadons although he used a nicer word:
“OK, buddy,” Rei said into the grille. “Come and get us.”MINIMCOM was right, of course. This ability came in handy many times over. However, in the upcoming novel The Milk Run, you will see an instance where this shield can be disrupted or even destroyed leaving a starship (in this case Junior) naked and visible.
“En route,” replied MINIMCOM.
“Where are you?” Rome asked. “I do not see you on the MIDAR screen.”
“Behind you and below you,” MINIMCOM replied. Rome widened the range of the screen until the blip representing MINIMCOM encroached upon the scanning circles. The blip rapidly closed in until it was just behind them. At this range, MINIMCOM’s outline was readily apparent.
“Do you want me to put this tug in slave mode so you can latch on?” Rei asked.
“That is not necessary,” MINIMCOM replied. “I am not going to latch onto you.”
“How are you going to tow us?” Rei asked.
“I think transport would be a better word,” MINIMCOM answered. “I also have a new trick to show you. Rome, please activate the rear cameras.”
“All right,” Rome replied and reached forward to press a button on the console. She tapped an icon twice and the view screens switched to show part of the planet below them with MINIMCOM’s black bulk obscuring most of the star field behind them. Rei thought MINIMCOM looked much larger than before but there was no way to really gauge. Suddenly, without warning, MINIMCOM disappeared.
“Where’d you go?” Rei asked, perplexed.
“I am still behind you,” replied MINIMCOM.
“No, you’re not,” Rei replied. He looked down at the MIDAR screen. MINIMCOM’s outline was still there. He looked at the view screens and all he saw was stars. He looked down at the MIDAR screen. There was no mistaking it. The 3D field of view showed MINIMCOM there plain as day.
“Is your trick messing up the cameras?” Rei asked.
“No, the cameras are untouched,” MINIMCOM said. The hybrid computer/spaceship winked back into view. He was exactly where he was before. Then he disappeared again. Then he popped back into view again. Then he was gone, this time for good.
“What the he..,” Rei stopped speaking. He glanced over at Rome. “What the heck?!” Rei asked. “What are you doing?”
“It is magic,” MINIMCOM said with cybernetic delight.
“MINIMCOM, do not fool around,” Rome said sternly. “What are you doing?”
“I took a page out of the book inscribed by the Deucadons,” the former space tug replied. “I simply project a sphere, a froth, might be a good word, of PPT tunnels around me. Light and radiation pass through the tunnels from one side to the other.. No light reflects so you cannot see me. The tunnels are very short range and I can choose what frequencies pass through them. Unless you knew I was here, you would not know I was here.”
“Hmm,” Rei uttered a single syllable. After he considered it for a bit, he spoke again. “So it’s like you’re invisible? Sleek!” he said admiringly. He looked down at his instruments. “But I can still see you on the MIDAR screen,” Rei said. “So your cloak isn’t perfect.”
As soon as Rei said it, the image on MIDAR screen went blank. Rei glanced over at Rome. She switched the MIDAR off and on again. The instrument was working. There was simply nothing there.
“As I said, I can control what frequencies travel through the tunnels, including those use by MIDAR.”
“Buddy, I gotta hand it to you,” Rei said, laughing. You really are a magician.”
“Yes,” MINIMCOM replied sounding very self-satisfied. “I believe this capability may come in handy when we get to Earth.”
Published on January 16, 2015 06:13
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Tags:
action, adventure, ftl, science-fiction, space-travel, vuduri
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Tales of the Vuduri
Tidbits and insights into the 35th century world of the Vuduri.
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