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(Page 2 of 2) The Transporter by Nils DurbanIf it had not been for his excitement at the pending culmination of a lifetime's work, Zoran may have been sickened by the smaller man's fawning demeanour. Alongside Zoran sat Henrik, who had eyes only for his own rather large feet.
"So, Doctor," Matheson began, "you mean to tell us that you have created an instantaneous matter transportation device, am I correct?"
"Exactly so!" Zoran replied. "Oh, the people who cannot even grasp the concept, you would not believe!"
"You are correct Doctor," Matheson managed a crooked smile, "I would not. Tell me, have you ever seen an episode of Star Trek?"
"Yes, yes, you are correct I suppose. The actual concept of an object disappearing at point A and re-materialising at point B is something we have all seen in science fiction shows, but the nuances involved, the balance between....."
"Show me Doctor Zoran," Matheson commanded, "please?" he gestured towards the equipment that Henrik had helped him to assemble earlier.
There were two identical contraptions, capsules two feet square by five feet high, glass fronted and stainless steel encased, separated from each other by approximately ten feet. Each was connected via a surprisingly small number of cables to a power source at its rear which was of only slightly smaller proportions. Positioned within the left hand unit was a small bonsai tree, clearly visible through the unit's vision panel.
"Henrik, the power please," Zoran requested. His assistant activated first the left hand unit and then its opposite number. Both thrummed quietly. Zoran then retrieved a large hand-held controller from beside his chair. "Initially gentlemen, we will transfer the specimen from one capsule to the other," he could not help but grin, "observe."
Zoran toggled a switch and the results were instantaneous. There were no shimmering lights, no mysterious sounds. The tiny tree was simply gone from the first capsule and present in the second.
Was there, perhaps, an instant during which Matheson had seen it in both places concurrently? He would not like to have said so.
Davies piped up, "I've checked it all out sir, Paramount Studios do not have the exclusive rights to the terminology!"
"What terminology, Davies?"
"Transporter, sir. We can market it as a Transporter."
"Davies," Matheson sighed deeply, his eyes locked firmly with Zorans own, "you could call it whatever you want. It wouldn't make a difference. Tell me Doctor, how far have you taken this?"
"Well," he answered, "the second chamber is not an actual necessity, it simply adds an element of precision regarding the destination. We could transport an object anywhere on the globe, GPS you see," he gestured to the controller. "From the peak of Everest to the depths of the Marianas Trench," he smiled, hopefully.
Matheson gestured towards Henrik and the large man ambled towards his erstwhile mentor, clamping a muscular hand upon his shoulder.
"What...?" Zoran began.
"I am afraid Doctor," Matheson said, "that what you have achieved, whilst highly commendable, is not acceptable." He smiled his crooked grin once more. "This...creation, it would crash economies. Employment and infrastructure rendered null and void in one foul swoop. I am truly sorry," he tossed the dime high into the air, "it cannot be allowed."
"But the Government said...."
"Yes Doctor.....the Government," he gestured once more to Henrik who now grasped Zoran's frail figure in both hands and dragged him across to the first capsule, wrenching open the door and thrusting the Doctor inside. He then returned to pick up the control device.
"Well," Davies looked questioningly at his superior, "the peak of Everest or the Marianas trench, which is it to be?"
The dime was sent spinning up into the air once more.
ND
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