Long Tale Press

Doctor Aaron Chinn was studying the strange atmospheric happenings taking place over different locations around the world; his excitement was hard to contain. Doctor Chinn looked away from the computer image that was on the monitor and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing what he believed he was seeing, doorways. Doctor Chinn looked back at the computer screen and watched, as these ‘doorways’ seemed to open and close. Aaron worked for the U.S. Air Force at the famous Area 51 in the Nevada desert. What people did not know was that the facility above ground was a ghost town, but underground a couple of hundred scientists, technicians, and support personnel worked in this underground city on Top Secret Defense programs. One of the major programs was time travel and if possible, what it could do for the country. It has always been thought that others had visited this planet since its creation and they had to have traveled here through portals or, as was the theory of current thought. However, the debate has not been that others have visited but how would they get here? People in the high places knew that we were and probably still were being visited by ‘spaceships’. They could not entirely agree on the spaceship theory. The sophistication it would take to fly through space and land here, but it was the only explanation they had. For some there has to be another explanation and that is where Doctor Chinn and his team of Scientist come into the picture. For three years now, Doctor Chinn and a highly intelligent group of scientists and physicists have been studying the theory of ‘Doorways’ around the world. About a month ago, one of his scientists, Julie Nance, came running into his office saying that the mapping of the planet by the space shuttle were complete and the images were coming in. They had been focusing their studying on the infamous ’Bermuda Triangle’ because of all the disappearances that have happened there. When Doctor Chinn came out, he was very pleased with the new mapping of the earth’s atmosphere because it would enable his team to study the planet using a device in space called a microwave vision satellite. This microwave vision was based on night vision goggles used by law enforcement and the military. It would provide pictures within the universe. It had taken a long time to get to this point and convince people that spending billions on this project would be well worth it in the end. Now Doctor Chinn told Julie to fire up the “eye in the sky”, which he had named it, and start its track over the Caribbean and lets see what we see when it gets to the Bermuda Triangle. The satellite began sending pictures to the computer. There was nothing unusual until it got near the South Florida Coastline. There were about ten disturbances within the atmosphere. These disturbances were pulsating in a bright yellow light and it looked like they were opening and closing. Doctor Chinn looked at Julie who looked like she had just won the lottery.

“Julie you do know that these could just be gases erupting in the atmosphere that are naked to the human eye and conventional satellites.”

“Doctor, if they're conventional satellites then we should have seen them in the Caribbean at some time, but we didn’t. They showed up over an area where people have disappeared for years.”

“Then Julie, I think we may have found our doorways. Let us get the team together and start analyzing the data. Also, I want to monitor this area every couple of hours and map the “Pulsating Doors” to get exact locations.”

“Yes sir Doctor, right away.”

When Julie got up and went to gather the team, Doctor Chinn sat down and looked at what was going to be the biggest find in the history of the world.

Julie returned with most of the team, except for a couple who had been granted leave for personal reasons. To leave this protected facility almost took an act of Congress because of the security. When everyone had calmed down, Doctor Chinn went through what had transpired and the discovery that had been made. Being engineers and scientists made the questions start immediately but Doctor Chinn was not holding this meeting to answer questions but to assign around the clock watches on the “Pulsating Doors”.

“That is what we know right now. I know you all have a million questions and so do I. First, we must evaluate exactly what these things are because there could be other logical reasons. I want this team to start analyzing and watching. I want to know what we are dealing with. Julie will take charge of setting up a watch schedule with all of you. Okay, people lets get to work. Julie, Doctor Chinn said, please come to my office before you get started.”

Julie knocked on Doctor Chinn’s door and got a come in from inside. Doctor Chinn was standing there with the Director, of Research and Development for this project. His name was Doctor Roland Westmeier a former under secretary of defense for Research, development, and acquisition. He was a very charming man with eyes that felt like they were boring holes to a person’s soul. “Julie, Doctor Westmeier said, how are you doing?”

“I am fine sir and how are you?”

“I am much better now that I have heard the news that Doctor Chinn has told me.”

“Julie, Doctor Chinn said, please sit down.”

Julie took a seat opposite Doctor Westmeier and Doctor Chinn started by saying that he had filled in Doctor Westmeier about what we suspect are doorways to somewhere. He went on to say that, the team was focusing efforts in the Caribbean and off the Florida Coast – in other words the Bermuda Triangle. Doctor Westmeier took over the conversation by saying

“We should not let this information go further than the team until we have proof about what we think is going on.” He also asked if we are going to validate this find and prove that these are doorways to another place then how we will do it. Doctor Chinn and Julie looked at each other with a knowing kind of bond at how they would. Doctor Westmeier caught on to this and said,

“Do you two already have a plan?”

“Well Roland, the only way to test is to try to enter a doorway and see what happens.”

“Aaron,” Roland said, “if I am correct, and I think I am, no one has come back since they disappeared in that area?” Julie cut in and said,

“Gentlemen, I believe if we sufficiently study the doors and understand how they work before we test then I believe we will have the knowledge to come back. I also recommend that we do not start with a human, but something tethered on this side that we can send to take readings and pictures.”

“Julie,” Roland said, “so you’re saying that we go ahead and try to enter before all the results are in”.

“Yes sir. Why wait because we are pretty sure these are doors and they must lead somewhere. I recommend that we get a remote signaling device planted in one of the doors so we can get real time information.” Roland looked at Aaron and said,

“Do you agree?”

Aaron answered in the affirmative immediately.

“Okay, I’ll approve this operation but only to limited personnel meaning you two. I want no one else to know. Keep the rest of the team analyzing from this facility. You two are cleared for this and its classified Top Secret. When do you think you’ll be ready to leave?” Aaron and Julie both responded with right away.

“So as to protect this operation we will have to come up with a reason for you two leaving. Moreover, I think I have one. I want you both to say that you are going to Washington to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on funding for this program. You are expected to be in Washington for at least five days. Will that be enough time to do what you want?” Aaron said,

“Yes, if we get support from the military to move our equipment. We will need a C-130 transport plane to move to Florida and a Coast Guard Cutter to support us during the tests.” Roland said he could arrange what they needed. “Okay,” Roland said,

“Start packing and I’ll make the arrangements to get you two to Florida by Saturday, 1 March 2003.”

The weather off the coast of Key West Florida called for calm seas with a temperature right around the 70’s. The Coast Guard Cutter White Bay, 110 foot, skippered by Lieutenant Commander Alice Chambers was assigned by the Department of Transportation and Defense for this mission. All the Captain and crew knew is that they were going to take a couple of scientists to sea and let them guide the cutter where they needed it, which did not sit well with the Captain.

“Captain,” Master Chief Clarkson, said, “What the hell is this little trip all about?”

“Chief, all I know is we have been ordered to give these scientists all the help we can while they conduct some sort of atmospheric experiments.”

“Ma’am, I get real nervous when civilians start telling us what to do and not do.”

“Chief, believe me when I say that I am the Captain of this ship and at no time will I allow it to be misused or abused in any way. We have twenty Coast Guardsmen on this ship and I am responsible for their safety.”

The Chief did not say anything else because he knew that the captain was one tough woman and knew how to handle anyone when it came to her ship.

Doctors Aaron Chinn and Julie Nance had arrived at the Naval Air Station, Key West the day before aboard a military C-130 aircraft with all the equipment they would need to conduct their experiments. Before leaving Nevada, they had been thoroughly briefed on what they could do and could not and that this was considered a Top Secret mission. No one was to know what he or she were doing, and that included the Captain of the ship. They were told that the Coast Guard Cutter would respond to their direction. However, they were cautioned that one of the best ships’ captain’s in the Guard, Lieutenant Commander Alice Chambers, captained the ship and she would probably not hesitate to take control if she felt that her ship and crew were in danger.

“Aaron,” Julie said,

“Do you think we are doing the right thing?”

Aaron looked at Julie and rubbed his chin while he formulated his response. He finally said,

“Yes Julie, we need to know what these doorways are and why they are present. This could be the biggest find known to humankind. Furthermore, what if we find out what happens to all those people who disappear off the face of the earth everyday?”

Julie nodded at Aaron’s explanation and she added,

“I guess it’s up to us to find out.”

The Coast Guard Cutter was loaded with their equipment. Aaron and Julie proceeded up the ramp to the ship. When they got to the top of the ramp, Captain Alice Chambers and the Executive Officer, Lieutenant Owen Eisiminger, were there to greet their passengers. The Captain said, “Welcome aboard Doctors Chinn and Nance. Please follow us and we’ll get you settled into your rooms and then we’ll have a working lunch in the wardroom.”

“Thank you”, Chinn said, and then asked, “When will we be heading out to sea?” The Captain answered that they would be departing in the next fifteen minutes and should be at the first objective within two hours. Doctor Chinn answered,

“That’s great”, and then they all headed to the inside of the ship to the billeting area for officers.

After putting away their belongings, Aaron and Julie made their way to the wardroom for their briefing with the ships’ officers and a check of their gear that was loaded earlier. Once they arrived at the conference room, they entered and found another two officers and, from the stripes on his arm, an enlisted man. The Captain made the introductions and proceeded to inform the men at the table what she knew about this mission. She told them that they could expect to be at sea for a week or more, unless weather became a factor, and that the ship’s crew were to cooperate with Doctors Chinn and Nance. After the Captains' brief remarks, Doctor Chinn started by introducing himself and Julie and what they did for the Government. What the men at the table did not realize is most of what he was telling them was complete bullshit. He told them that they were going to conduct some weather experiments at different longitudes and latitudes in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. He also added that most of the Bermuda Triangle would be covered. He added that the experiments were necessary because of data that was transmitted back from the space shuttle on the last mission. There were some disturbing weather patterns that were invisible to the naked eye in this region. When Chinn was done he looked over at Julie asked her if she had anything to add and she did. Julie said,

“Lady and Gentlemen, Please instruct the crew that there will be some strange looking equipment set up on the main deck of the ship and that they should not touch this equipment. It is real sensitive and expensive.” When Julie was done, the Captain announced that the ship was ready to get underway. She assigned the Executive Officer, Lieutenant Eisiminger, as the escort for Aaron and Julie. The rest of the officers headed for underway stations while Aaron, Julie, and the Lieutenant Eisiminger went to the main deck to check out where to set up the equipment.

It was a beautiful day sunny and warm with a mild breeze blowing in from the south when the ship left port and headed east. Its turn to the Northwest was anticipated in a couple of hours. Even though the sun was out in full strength, the weather was perfect for the tests. Aaron and Julie were thankful they could work out on the deck in clothes that fit the weather – shorts and tee shirts. Julie was in the process of running systems checks on the computer that would connect them to the lab back in Nevada when Aaron came over and asked her if they were ready to proceed with the mapping? Julie said that she was just completing the hook up with the lab and everything seemed to be in order. Just as those words left her mouth, the computer came on line and displayed what they were out there to find. The computer showed the locations of at least ten doorways, which placed them in the Bermuda Triangle.

“Well Doctor Chinn, said Julie,

“It looks like we are in business and I do believe out here the doorways look like they are pulsating stronger than they did back in the lab. It shows the latitude and longitude for each so we should have no trouble locating them and running our experiments.”

Aaron leaned over and looked at the computer screen and said that he agreed and asked Julie to come with him and run a systems check on the laser mapping system that they would use to penetrate and map the exact location of the doors. Aaron and Julie walked across the deck to the starboard side of the ship where the laser was positioned and Julie consulted her map and programmed the laser on a point in the ocean and then activated the laser. The system came to life and because they had specially made glasses that enabled them to see the actual laser. The system was new technology and employed a laser that was strong enough to penetrate through most obstructions that got in the way. This made mapping the locations precise. For example, the military had been testing this technology for about three years now in the area of urban warfare. With this technology, military personnel fighting in an urban environment could use the laser to look inside a dwelling and map every room and every piece of furniture. The laser would also indicate heat present, such as animals or humans, in the dwelling. Military personnel would be able to distinguish between the two by the amount of heat being generated; a human being would generate more heat and would increase substantially with the numbers of humans present. A military leader could then plan how the unit would assault the dwelling to reduce casualties. This was important because the leader would not know if they were combatants or civilians. It would also help a unit moving through dense and open areas in the same fashion.

Julie turned off the laser and she and Aaron returned to the computer to see what the laser had seen. It was amazing what the laser mapped. The small deserted island that was the target was perfectly mapped on the computer and all vegetation and animals present were shown on the computer. There were two other hot spots showing that could not be animals, but must be humans. Aaron and Julie figured that there were some divers using the island as their jumping off point because the depth of the ocean dropped more than 500 feet off the East side of the island. Since everything was a go, Aaron and Julie decided before first objective was reached, they would go down below and have coffee and make notes about the set up of the equipment. It was very important that all aspects of this mission be recorded for future use. Julie was fanatical about record keeping and preserving what she recorded. She had brought a brand new journal for recording the mission and a state of the art weatherproof container just in case it had to go for a swim.

The Executive Officer waited until Aaron and Julie headed through the bulkhead door to the wardroom. He had watched closely as the scientists had set up their equipment and did not ask questions or interfere. Now that they were out of sight, he walked over to the device that raised his curiosity the most and that was the one that the scientists had to put on glasses when they turned it on. He looked over the device and it was something he had never seen before. It was compact, lightweight, and had a few switches and a digital screen. He had no idea what it did, but it concerned him because they wore the glasses when they used it. Eisiminger thought,

“Damn, what are they up to? I think I am going to have a chat with the Captain.” Eisiminger looked at his watch and saw that they would be at first objective in less than an hour and they would stay there for the next two days.

“I need to find out more about what is going on with these two and their tests,” he thought.

Lieutenant Eisiminger found the Captain on the bridge of the ship having her coffee and reading the latest message traffic that included the weather reports. When Owen entered the room Alice swung around in her captain’s chair and asked him if everything went all right with the equipment set up?

“Ma’am,” Owen said,

“They have completed their set up and testing and have returned below deck.”

“Owen,” Alice said,

“You sound concerned for some reason.”

“Well ma’am, now that you have mentioned it, I am concerned about a piece of equipment that they tested using what looked like sunglasses.”

“What do you mean Owen?”

“Well, before they ran a test of this piece of equipment, they put on these high-tech looking sunglasses and when they turned it on it made no sound and didn’t look like it was doing anything.”

“That’s interesting.” Alice said. She asked,

“Were they satisfied with the equipment when they were finished?”

“It seemed so ma’am. They acted like everything was okay.” “ Well, for now keep a good eye on them and for your information, they may not have much time to play with their equipment. We have a major low depression area heading this way from the Northeast. It is 500 miles and moving at 15 miles per hour. If it maintains its present course and speed, it will be on us by Monday noon at the latest. If by Sunday evening it’s still tracking, we’ll pull the plug and head for port.” Owen looked at the message and said, “Ma’am I concur.” He did not know why he was concurring with Alice’s assessment because there wasn’t a better skipper in the Coast Guard. When Alice made a decision, you could bet a paycheck that it was the right one. Owen excused himself and went below to make his rounds of the ship and see what else was happening. When he got to the wardroom, the two scientists were still there chatting about something. Owen decided that he would go in for a cup of coffee and maybe hear something that would tell him what these experiments were all about. However, when he walked in they both immediately stopped talking and just looked at Owen. Owen felt a little uncomfortable but decided he would break the tension so he asked,

“Is everything going okay?” Julie answered right away,

“Oh yes, everything is great. We were just discussing how well we think the experiments will go.”

Owen could smell bullshit when given, but he played along and said,

“We’ll be at the first objective in about 40 minutes. There’s something I would like to discuss with the both of you, if you have the time?” Aaron spoke up this time and said,

“Sure, no problem, what’s on your mind?”

“Well”, Owen said, “when you go up on the deck from now on, please wear the life jackets you were issued when you arrived. Regulations state that anyone out on the deck must have a life jacket on or they must stay below.” Julie looked first at Aaron then back to Owen and said,

“Sure, no problem. We just got excited about the test and forgot. It won’t happen again.”

“Thank you.” Owen said.

Owen stood there for a few minutes not saying anything, just sipping the coffee he had poured. He realized that Doctor Nance was a strikingly beautiful woman and her blue eyes were mesmerizing. Julie noticed that Owen was staring at her and she became self-conscious about his gaze. It was not a gaze of lust, but a gaze of being interested. Julie broke the moment by saying,

“Owen, How long have you been assigned to this ship?”

Owen at first was still deep within Julie’s eyes when he finally realized she had asked him something. “Oh I’m sorry,” Owen, said,

“I was thinking about all the things I have to do before we make first objective. Ma’am, what was your question again?” Julie said,

“Please call me Julie.”

“I will”, said Owen

“My question was how long have you been on the ship?”

“Oh, I’ve been stationed on the White Bay for a year now. I came aboard with Captain Chambers.” Julie said,

“Is the Captain good?”

“She is probably one of the top three ship Captains in the Guard. She grew up on Cape Cod and ever since she was 3 years old, she’s been boating. I don’t believe there’s a ship that she couldn’t Captain.”

Julie was impressed with Owen’s admiration for the Captain. She would have thought that a woman in charge of a ship this size would have borne a lot of jealousy from the males aboard the ship. Julie asked,

“I notice that neither one of you are married?”

“Well in this line of work, it is hard to have a family. I guess I haven’t found the right person yet. I can’t speak for the Captain but I image you would get a similar answer. We take our profession very seriously and while we’re on this ship, it’s all business. The captain would never do anything to compromise the safety of this crew.”

Julie felt as though she had offended Owen so she spoke up right away,

“I’m sorry if you think I was insinuating anything with my question. I know it must be hard for anyone married to have to be at sea a lot. I know it would be hard for me being at sea away from a family.”

“Being stationed on a ship is hard work but the time does go by fast and we are never at sea for more than two to three weeks at a time. The Coast Guard is a lot better off than the Navy, which stays at sea for six or more months at a time.”

Julie nodded her head in agreement. Her life had been school to get her PhD in Physics and the research that had come after. Sure, she has had some relationships but she broke them off when they became serious. Now being in the latter half of her thirties made her wonder if, she had made a mistake.

Owen saying they were five minutes out from the first objective finally brought Julie back from her thinking of marriage and family. Aaron gave Julie that get-moving look and they both passed Owen on the way out of the wardroom. Before Julie went through the hatch leading to the main deck she looked back at Owen and gave him a very friendly smile.

Julie quickly brought all systems up and readied them for the mission. Since they were about 15 miles from the objective now, she turned the laser on and began warm up procedures. Really, she was seeing if there was anything out there that was invisible to the naked eye. The laser was functioning as required and ready for its important job. Julie saw that the computer download had taken place and she could see four pulsating doorways. In about two minutes, she would be in contact with the ship’s bridge so she could guide them to the necessary location to conduct the experiment. Aaron came over and stood over Julie while she inspected the mapping program in the computer. She pointed out to him the doorway which should be the one used for the experiment. Finally, in her ear microphone, she heard the bridge was standing by for position instructions. Julie told Aaron they were ready for guiding and proceeded to instruct the bridge on where to proceed, which was less than a quarter of a mile to the Southeast. The cutter made the direction adjustment and before long Julie told them that, they were at the objective. The cutter came to a full stop and the Captain made sure the ship, with help of the engines, maintained its position for the testing. The weather was still very good so they were ready to start the experiment. Julie brought the laser to full power and directed it towards the coordinates for the doorway. The laser found its mark and started its mapping of the interior. While Julie kept an eye on the position of the laser, Aaron was monitoring the video screen that would show what the laser saw, if anything. After about five minutes, the laser had shown nothing in the doorway, the screen was blank and the atmosphere inside was registering the same, as it was right here. Julie was about to pull the plug on the experiment when Aaron grabbed her arm real quick and said, “Julie look at the monitor”. Julie removed her safety glasses and looked at what the laser was sending back. On the screen, there was a slow moving thing, which looked like a ship or boat. Julie looked at Aaron and a big smile came across her face.

“Aaron,” Julie said, “You do know that at this same location there are no ships anywhere, right? And what we are looking at is a vessel not of this time and place.” Aaron was still speechless but managed to say,

“Julie you are absolutely right.” The “ghost vessel”, as named by Julie, soon disappeared from the laser’s view and the monitor went blank again. Aaron looked at Julie and said, “Let’s shut down for now and analyze what we have. The next doorway is about 50 miles to the Northeast.” Julie agreed and contacted the bridge to let them know that they were done at this location and the ship could proceed to the second objective. The ship’s bridge indicated they would proceed in about 10 minutes. Julie returned to the computer and saved the data for the first objective. The mapping of the first objective had been a success so far. The discovery of the ghost vessel was proof that these pulsating doors led to places not of this place and certainly not of this time. Once Aaron and Julie got below they could reconnect to the main system and start analyzing what it was like on the other side of the doorway.

The Captains voice came over the intercom directing the ship’s company to retrieve the anchor to get underway for the second objective.

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