Zone 2

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

EPILOGUE

Chapter 1

Summer 2059

Brad Cole didn’t see it coming and thus did nothing to stop the cops who pounded him with what felt like truncheons. He saw two images that obliterated his psyche. He registered no emotion as he fell to the floor of the city hall. His head felt ready to split open and mercifully drain away his misery. Not a word was spoken, and the world became ever more silent and distant. He then attempted to mutter something to his assailants, but they had fled. Brad then faintly visualized a continuing series of lights. He tried to sit up but felt hopeless as he was unable to move his arms or legs.

Where am I? Brad asked himself. He became aware that he was not in the parking garage. He could hear a medley of voices that made no sense to him. He closed his eyes, said nothing, and lay dormant. The intermingling of voices seemed to last forever until he sensed he was lifted and placed on a sagging mattress. He could barely make out the words that seemed to be directed toward him.

We’re all glad to see you alive, Mr. Cole. It was a close call. It may well be several weeks before you fully recover. We think you’ll make it.

Brad realized he was hospitalized. He croaked, Am I still in Columbus?

You’re at Columbus Metro Hospital.

He felt smothered visually by a host of blurred, unrecognizable faces. He could not move and felt as if he was tied down Where the hell am I? Brad screamed.

You’re in the hospital. Brad recognized a lab coat and stethoscope around the neck of the person who responded. He begged the physician for details about his encounter.

We’re not sure, but all of us here want to help you, a barely audible voice responded.

You are severely hurt. Most of us will tend to you. There is a couple here who may know you. They wanted to check on you to see how you are. They can’t stay here …

Who? Brad could see faces somewhat more clearly. Suddenly, he grabbed the doctor’s shoulder and yelled, "It’s her! My God! How did you get here?"

He was unable to sit up. His unrestrained emotional response was pronounced as he began to roll his head insistently. Slowly, Brad was able to comprehend questions concerning what he had endured and why. Who was he? Why did this happen to him? Who was responsible? Among the several faces, he suddenly reached out toward the woman he barely recognized, but he was unable to move his arms. He gasped and was suddenly seized by a coughing fit. Hospital personnel then ordered all those present who were not affiliated with the hospital to leave.

Once Shelly Vaughn was in the hospital lobby, she became intensely concerned regarding Brad’s situation.

First of all, Mr. Cole’s research did not involve time travel. He felt the need to participate in what he felt was right amid the growing world problems, Shelley told the three officers. They seemed convinced she was lying to protect either the victim or those who were responsible for his near death. Shelley told the officers her name and that she knew Sergeant Grey, who also knew Brad Cole and Rydal Industries, which was largely responsible for Brad Cole’s traumatic situation.

I personally do not work for Rydal Industries. I have assisted somewhat in the company research, which happens to be, as most people well know by now, the quest or insight into the possibility of parallel worlds similar to our own, Shelley told the officers.

Sergeant Grey appeared and was greeted heartily by Shelley Vaughn. He studied the scene but said very little. He asked Shelley if she would accompany him to the hospital cafeteria. Some food and coffee would be nice, as he anticipated a lengthy discussion concerning Brad Cole and his activities, which obviously were of considerable significance.

I remember you. It’s Ms. …

My name is Shelley, Shelley Vaughn. She noticed one of the officers taking out a recorder. I’ve been living with my uncle, Ted Simmons, since I was three. He sort of adopted me after my parents were killed in an automobile accident. I preferred to use my parents’ surname, although I always call Uncle Ted ‘Dad’.

Sergeant Grey continued, Were you one of those who helped Cole escape from jail?

I myself was never directly involved. Although Mr. Cole was hired as one of the company’s technical analysts, there were restrictions. During the time he worked at Rydal as IT specialist, he worked very closely with me and my uncle, who is a senior employee there.

Indeed. Grey took the recorder and placed it directly in front of Shelley.

Take your time, Ms. Vaughn. Now, how does this … Skylark project connect with the violence that Cole and others seemed to have suffered recently? This research thing has dominated the media for the past several weeks, Grey said.

It’s all very complicated and technically involved, not to mention emotionally exhausting. Although I’ve known Brad Cole less than a year, I feel like I’ve known him for years. Can you spare the time to hear me out, Sergeant?

During the time Mr. Cole had his legal problems, although he did avoid jail time, I recall certain moments of enlightened views on his behalf, Ms. Vaughn. Take your time. We don’t need to be anywhere else for now. Please! Grey pushed the recording button and nodded for Shelley to begin.

Brad’s World, 2028–2058

Over the years, Brad Cole would tell his friends and colleagues how he hated his adoptive parents. Brad had suffered from his early childhood during the late 2020s and early ’30s when he endured beatings and horrible assaults from his father, Jim. Jim had worked several different jobs in various states before settling in Ohio. He was a certified public accountant and had worked with several companies. His alcoholism had gotten the better of him. He was a handsome man in his early twenties. His blonde hair was cut very short, and he usually dressed in tan trousers and a wool jacket. At the young age of twenty-seven, he had already been fired from three jobs, and his drinking had only gotten worse. He married Fluorine Nettle when he was just twenty-one, but soon they both learned she could have no children. Two years later, they adopted a child who was one year old. The strange coincidence was that Brad’s biological father carried the same surname as Jim. Fluorine was nineteen when they adopted Brad. Occasionally Brad’s biological father, also named Cole, would visit once a year to see Brad. Brad’s biological father never really got to know his adoptive parents well and was quite unaware that Jim had a brutal temper. Yet Fluorine would swear on the Bible how loving and gentle Jim could be. Fluorine was always forgiving of Jim’s ongoing abuse.

Brad somehow survived all of his seven elementary schools as he, along with his family, moved from state to state. Finally, a colleague at a firm in one of several companies where Jim worked suggested he go to rehab. For one year exactly, Jim Cole did not touch a drop of vodka until he was informed by his latest employer that the firm had to lay off employees due to a financial crisis. His addiction returned with a vengeance. Fluorine finally got the message and managed to escape with her son, to whom she apologized profusely for her neglect of him.

Brad was fourteen when his mother found a job working at K-Mart in a Cleveland suburb. She eventually died of a brain tumor. Despite Jim’s and Fluorine’s indifference toward their adopted child, they nevertheless would intervene on his behalf, and thus Brad was spared juvenile court. On other occasions, he was not so lucky.

Brad finished high school in Lakewood, where life became quiet and subdued. He had made a few friends, whom he would invite to his home or who would accompany him to various activities, most of which involved going to the movies or taking frequent local bus trips to various places in the Cleveland area. Because of traumatic experiences suffered during his early years, for the most part Brad suffered anxiety related to his perpetual physical abuse, and he often ran away. He would sleep in the local bus stations or worse, in cellars of condemned buildings. Eventually he would be found by local police authorities and was returned home. From his earliest years, Brad was often withdrawn and self-critical. When he became despondent, he would avoid friends, acquaintances, and even classes. One teacher, Beth Wilson, who taught math and who was impressed with Brad’s quick and immediate grasp of the subject, had a long talk with him. She had suggested he seek professional help for his emotional problems, the source and extent of which she could not ascertain. She often sensed Brad was suicidal.

Brad had continuing psychological problems during his adolescence and early twenties yet he finished high school and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree at Rice College, which was located in Columbus. Brad decided to stay in the Columbus area after graduation. During his college years, Brad worked at several jobs. In the mornings, Brad served as assistant in a local pharmacy and attended his college classes during the evenings. With the help of a friend at the pharmacy, he learned of a high-tech research organization by the name of Rydal Industries, a private company founded during the early ’60s.

The company worked hand-in-glove with various government activities and research. It was a private corporation, but it did various projects for the US government. Rydal was responsible for creating, developing, and innovating computer hardware and software. It developed hundreds of specialized computer and Internet programs. The founder of the company, John Reynolds, originally worked at Microsoft, and he used his training and expertise to expand an intelligence technology enterprise into a world-leading company with relatively few competitors.

Despite his lack of self-confidence, Brad Cole earned his bachelor’s degree. He struggled within himself to exude confidence and enthusiasm with his new job. A week after the interview, his candidacy was accepted, and he was to report to work the very next day. He began to fulfill his assignments with fierce determination and expressed his willingness to become engaged in whatever projects were assigned to him. His responsibility was primarily that of maintaining microelectronics within the organization and the organization of websites that affected the growing needs of the company. His responsibilities were many, and he worked closely with his comrades.

Rydal was a large company, with one thousand employees of varying rank. Specific operations in the department where Brad worked involved the development and distribution of computer hardware and software. Brad worked with three other employees whose tasks were very similar in scope. Not long after he began his tenure, he learned quickly that Rydal was involved in research of considerable theoretical persuasions, several of which involved direct government funding. Brad was surprised to learn that the obstructed area of cosmology was involved for several years and the company maintained its silence to all its employees about a special unit that specialized in cosmological research. Only recently did this phenomenon become known throughout the industry as a whole.

Brad was piqued, annoyed, and was inordinately curious as to what was going on and declared to himself that he would do some investigating. It didn’t take long for Brad to learn the ins and outs, the politics, and the major players within his department and several adjunct facilities whose successes were contingent on the work done by the computer staff, whose numbers included eight full-time employees and three part-timers or temps, who were in the finishing stages of acquiring their degrees. Rydal had many branches located in several large cities and was engaged in several different projects, all of which were contingent on varying degrees of computer mainframes and Microsoft software programs. The central office was located in Columbus, with lab facilities in Boston, Chicago, and Dallas. Brad knew very little about other research projects undertaken by the company, most of which were, surprisingly, not directly affiliated with his department. He was told in the vaguest of terms that adjacent scientific study involved unrelated studies involving outer space, stellar formation, and possible extra-planetary life forms. When he prodded his colleagues about any details, he was told very little. It appeared that most, if not all, of his team members were somehow excluded from anything that had to do with the scientific research not related to his immediate concern.

Brad was a consistent, devoted employee who worked diligently and worked overtime on many occasions. He was able to work from home on many of his software innovations, and throughout the year, he was obligated to attend several conferences. At first he learned very little, if anything, that did not involve his specific area of informational technology. As he was leaving one of the lectures, he was greeted by one Brian Thomas, an IT specialist whose background was unclear. He claimed he had worked in a Columbus insurance firm and had joined ranks with Rydal some two years previously. Their conversation began inanely enough, and then Thomas let loose a bombshell.

Chapter 2

The conference ended late Friday afternoon, but Brad didn’t wait until Monday to speak to one of his confidants about something he had learned that was not on the original schedule of events. Brad rushed to Neil Bateman’s home. He pounded on the door, and Bateman invited him in. He offered his visitor a drink to help cool him down, as he could almost feel the tension that was tormenting his fellow coworker. Neil was one of three close colleagues of Brad’s, and Brad had come to trust him. Hal Rowan and Todd Blakely were the two other hardworking, committed IT colleagues Brad enjoyed working and discussing new ideas or projects with. Brad had no problems with them, although he did suspect a general willingness on the part of each, not unlike the vast majority of Rydal employees, to concentrate on their particular work commitments and keep their mouths shut about the activities of Rydal’s other departments.

Brad said simply, As I was leaving the conference, I ran into Brian Thomas.

Neil sipped at his brandy and then put down the cup and invited his guest to join him on the sofa. I sense you are going to discuss matters concerning astronomical issues, right?"

Indeed, Neil, by now you are quite aware of my feelings on the issue. There is much to say. I’m sorry to say that most, if not all, of our fellow scientists also kept their mouths shut about this.

Now how did Thomas know about the astronomical experiments?

Thomas was one of the design engineers who worked closely with the national aerodynamics and space flight materials years ago. He worked with us for just a couple of years. From what little I know of him, he seems to be quite knowledgeable about what’s going on nationally and internationally, about new horizons being discovered, maintained, and corrected. Neil continued, "Just what did he say? I suppose I can guess he mentioned Skylark!" Neil got up and poured himself another brandy.

Brad said, He mentioned something about infrastructure devices used for cosmological access and stellar and interplanetary research.

What else, Brad?

Brian and I didn’t get into specifics involving the research. Dammit if he didn’t have to leave right away to catch his plane. He happened to mention, all too briefly, that initial studies developed about a year ago in Dallas provided a means well beyond standard cosmological observational researches. We didn’t discuss details, but he did admit that he had found out some breathtaking information.

Skylark, Neil sighed. Damn it, Brad, most of us at the lab wanted to confide in you, but we all had our strict orders from above.

"What’s it all about, Neil? For God’s sake! Is it really true? Can we? Do we have the means to explore, to confirm the very existence of parallel or alternative universes?"

Neil Bateman was one of Brad’s closest friends, Brad often reminded himself. He was in his mid-thirties, dressed informally, and had a slight southern accent. He was slightly pudgy and loved southern cookery. Another close friend of Brad’s was Ted Simmons, who was a generation apart from most of the younger crew at Rydal. He was partially bald, had piercing eyes, and always wore expensive suits. His daughter, Shelley, was basically a receptionist at Rydal, but her scholarly background provided her access to and manipulation of highly developed computer systems. Both Ted and Neil were responsible and willing achievers at Rydal. Nevertheless, both had occasional doubts and concerns about some of the work the company did.

Brad told Neil about a lecture he had attended in graduate school that covered the possibility of advanced research in astronomy and cosmology. One of the themes discussed was the possibility of a multiverse, or multiple cosmic orders, within which parallel universes existed in varying dimensions. Brad was mildly interested, and he dug further into various theory-laden articles that supported this arcane subject. He eventually lost interest until he began working at Rydal. During the first weeks, he had overheard colleagues discussing the company’s various projects, one of which was involved with NASA. There were neither specifics nor any detailed discussion. Even less mention was made of a highly secret operation, which went by the name of Skylark. The name had very little or no identification with the actual project. Brad remembered that this mystery project was undertaken with government support and was involved with interplanetary life systems. The term parallel was stated several times. Brad had remained curious but decided not to pursue any questioning on the subject, and never heard any mention of the company’s research, other than his own.

Brad didn’t bring the subject up again until two weeks later. While perusing a new website dealing with recently installed software, Brad consulted Bateman about an obscure reference to a communicative device that was being handled by an outside source. Bateman hesitated but decided to trust his associate and decided to provide an overview of the project the company had named Skylark.

There’s nothing to the actual name, as far as I can tell, Neil began. I guess someone on the scientific investigative team—

You mean the Dallas cosmological segment? Brad asked.

You got it. Listen, Brad, I really don’t relish the idea of spelling out all the reasons for the intrigue. What I and others who have been with Rydal for a good while are aware of is this: last March the director was called to Washington, supposedly to attend a conference, or so we were told. To make the proverbially long story brief, I, along with a few others within the company, was notified that the defense department was interested in funding a new research program that dealt with extra-planetary exploration.

Let me guess, Brad interrupted, Rydal was hired to look into the possibility of extra-terrestrial life. Neil, is this on the level?

I can only give you a general picture of what’s going on. From what I’ve gathered, and it surely isn’t much, there has been a significant discovery. You know that Rydal has hired several well known scientists, including an astronaut, to work on the team.

What kind of discovery?

Brad, right now there are actually three units working on devices used in accessing the hyperspace we’ve been discussing all-too-briefly. Several people here at the central location, other than those picked to work in the closed area, know about the company’s discovery.

Of what? Extraterrestrials?"

Close, Brad. We’re talking about the existence of a world similar to our own world in many ways. Parallel but with differences.

You’ve hinted this before, some time ago, Neil. Brad was perplexed.

It’s all too complicated and doesn’t relate to our unit, other than that we do develop certain informational software that provides much of the basic elemental technical resources.

So why keep it all hushed?

Trust, I guess. Neil sighed. Soon I imagine Rydal will reveal it all to the press.

In the meantime …

In the meantime, you say nothing for now. Neil then made a surprising remark. As I said, there are three places where the technology is realized.

Here? Brad remarked.

Here, Dallas, and … in the very cellar of an IT specialist who works closely with the company management.

Who? Brad grasped.

You’d be surprised. None other than Ted Simmons.

Isn’t he close to retirement? Brad was stunned. You know he is a friend of mine.

Also, there’s someone else not affiliated with actual employment with Rydal.

Let me guess, Brad said. Brian, perhaps a distant relative of Harris.

No, Brad, but damn close. Not related to the director. I’m talking about Ted. I’m referring to his daughter—rather, his adopted niece, Shelley, who goes by the name of Vaughn.Yes, her original family name is Shelley, Brad continued. She was adopted when she was about three or four.

How did she ever get involved with her father’s business? With Rydal, for God’s sake? And Skylark? You have to be kidding, Neil.

No, Brad. Shelly graduated from Brown several years ago. She’s about twenty-nine now, but she never studied for a master’s degree, much less a doctorate.

But then how …?

Again, a long story.

Chapter 3

Brad was enlightened if not perplexed that Neil had revealed what little information he had come to share concerning their mutual company’s research in the discovery of parallel worlds. Both had worked closely together, yet Brad could not fully understand why Neil had taken him under his confidence. Neil then told Brad that he would talk to Simmons and arrange a visit. He further advised Brad to discuss the research in Unit Three.

The next day, Brad drove to the Simmons’s home on Lake Shore Drive. Brad told Ted about his recent discussions with Bateman, most of which involved government projects dealing with spacecraft innovations. In 2001, it appeared that the company was much more interested in the development and innovation of computers and their hard drives and related information. The