The opportunity to work in the most technologically advanced facility on the planet warranted taking some risks. “Thirty seconds to magnetic braking” chimed the voice, and was surprised that he had not paid the least attention to the multitude of other altitude reminders – information that reduced this miracle to an accounting of distance. He braced himself for the expected rough stop, only to find that when the brakes engaged, they felt fluid and natural. He wished his New York apartment elevators were as smooth. When the last settling motions finally came to a stop, he almost laughed at the ding – so reminiscent was it of any other elevator.
But there was where the similarity stopped. It had taken over a decade to manufacture the 260,000 tons of carbon composite nano-tubes that comprised the cables which hoisted people and goods up and down the space elevator’s length. Not to mention the decades of research required to overcome the issues, known and unknown. Radiation, lightning strikes, jet stream, meteorites, safety, cost, and ownership were but the most often cited issues that had kept this modern wonder from being built. There had been skeptics even after it was built, and probably still were. Though 11 years without a major mishap had quelled most of their predictions of doom.
Alan knew that the name “Pinnacle One” was intended to connote height, but still thought it more appropriately denoted one of man’s ultimate achievements. Almost as impressive as the technological prowess required to pull off its construction and maintenance, was the political cooperation that had been required. Building Pinnacle would have bankrupted a dozen average countries. Combined. People of some prominence had also pointed out the Panama Canal tragedy of ’44 as a warning and lesson. So when it came time to establish the necessary multi-national funding, all contributors were welcomed, the prevalent wisdom being that the likelihood of sabotage by a disgruntled nation was inversely proportional to its investment and return. It had taken years of patient negotiation to achieve the necessary buy-in. Even so there has been a couple of holdouts. Nations and peoples that had been effectively waging undeclared wars for hundreds if not thousands of years would never be sufficiently reconciled to sign an agreement, much less sit at the same table. Provisional use agreements were set up in order to keep even these dissenters as involved as they could be. Even with all this, Alan still held on to some deep misgivings. Would some misguided zealot think himself the agent of a God intent of sundering this edifice - as was the tower of Babel over 5000 years ago? He had not occupied himself with these concerns much before, but couldn't stop the panicky thoughts each time he heard, or worse, felt, the unfamiliar creaks and groans from the elevator.
His unpleasant thoughts were interrupted as he heard the hiss of air and his ears pop with the equalization of pressure needed before the doors would open and admit him to Pinnacle City. As the door opened unceremoniously, his fears melted away, a sense of awe overpowering him.
But there was where the similarity stopped. It had taken over a decade to manufacture the 260,000 tons of carbon composite nano-tubes that comprised the cables which hoisted people and goods up and down the space elevator’s length. Not to mention the decades of research required to overcome the issues, known and unknown. Radiation, lightning strikes, jet stream, meteorites, safety, cost, and ownership were but the most often cited issues that had kept this modern wonder from being built. There had been skeptics even after it was built, and probably still were. Though 11 years without a major mishap had quelled most of their predictions of doom.
Alan knew that the name “Pinnacle One” was intended to connote height, but still thought it more appropriately denoted one of man’s ultimate achievements. Almost as impressive as the technological prowess required to pull off its construction and maintenance, was the political cooperation that had been required. Building Pinnacle would have bankrupted a dozen average countries. Combined. People of some prominence had also pointed out the Panama Canal tragedy of ’44 as a warning and lesson. So when it came time to establish the necessary multi-national funding, all contributors were welcomed, the prevalent wisdom being that the likelihood of sabotage by a disgruntled nation was inversely proportional to its investment and return. It had taken years of patient negotiation to achieve the necessary buy-in. Even so there has been a couple of holdouts. Nations and peoples that had been effectively waging undeclared wars for hundreds if not thousands of years would never be sufficiently reconciled to sign an agreement, much less sit at the same table. Provisional use agreements were set up in order to keep even these dissenters as involved as they could be. Even with all this, Alan still held on to some deep misgivings. Would some misguided zealot think himself the agent of a God intent of sundering this edifice - as was the tower of Babel over 5000 years ago? He had not occupied himself with these concerns much before, but couldn't stop the panicky thoughts each time he heard, or worse, felt, the unfamiliar creaks and groans from the elevator.
His unpleasant thoughts were interrupted as he heard the hiss of air and his ears pop with the equalization of pressure needed before the doors would open and admit him to Pinnacle City. As the door opened unceremoniously, his fears melted away, a sense of awe overpowering him.
2 comments:
The reasons that I call you Amazing Husband are infinite, but this is certainly one good example. You are SO good at this. More and more and more!
What an excellent beginning to your book ! I guess it will be a book. It grabs the reader as openings should.
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