“This is what I was afraid of Jim,” said John Moffat just after the staff of the Trust had finished watching the BBC News, “and why I did not want to make it public.”
“That wasn't our call, John,” said Jim Markson, “we were both commanded to do so and we needed to do it from a moral aspect as well, you just can't keep information like this under wraps.”
“Well I hate to think what comes next, we had an attack on the Control Room yesterday and this massacre today, some Christmas.”
“John, you can't blame us or the recordings for this,” said Jo as she placed an arm around her loved one, “it's human nature that's caused this, people will always react to the truth if they don't like it, or agree with it.”
“Since when did you get a psychology degree,” John asked in a little lighter mood than he felt.
“I was thinking Dad,” said Jo as she turned away from John, but grabbed his hand, “both the bombs and the guard's pistol didn't work yesterday, that can't be a coincidence.”
“Now you mention it Jo,” answered Jim, “are you thinking that there is a dampening field in the Control Room,” he asked.
“That was the thought that crossed my mind,” said Jo. “You mean like the one that you found operated in the cavern where we found the ark,” stated John.
“Exactly,” said Jo, “when we found the complex I got interested in the Knossos site and I did some research,
I read something that puzzled me at the time, but then I forgot about it until now.” Jo broke off and went to the nearest soft-screen and tapped in a search string, within a few seconds a page appeared, “Here it is,” she said, it seems that on two occasions during the German occupation of Crete someone from the Greek resistance was chased onto the site and hid. On both occasions the Germans tried to shoot the resistance fighter here, and despite the Nazis using pistols, grenades and machine-guns the fighter got away.”
“Maybe just a coincidence, Jo,” said her Dad.
“No, because when I dug a little deeper last night, I found this,” answered Jo. As she typed in another page address. “Look at this, it's from an archive dating back to the Nazi occupation, here is a report about defective ordnances, and the date coincides with the first incident on the Knossos site, see.”
“You could be right, I think that is more than a random coincidence,” said John, “I wonder how it works, that could be useful.”
“If this is true, look at the area it covers,” added Jim, “if we could isolate the emitter, or whatever it is, think of the lives it could save.” Jim paused for several seconds then, “Owen, have you a moment.”
Owen Gwilliam, was deep in conversation with Dr. Wade in the corner of the lounge, this was his first break from the Control Room in nearly three months and he was hoping to return to Manchester's UMIST after the Christmas recess. Manchester University were actually getting very frustrated over Owen's absence, and although he didn't need the salary, he loved to teach and inspire young engineers. After a few minutes he wandered across to where the three were in discussion, “What can I do for you,” Owen said in his soft Welsh accent.
Jim quickly brought him up to speed on the discussion and Jo showed him the evidence that she had found on the super-net, a feint smile started to appear on Owen's face, “don't tell me, you want me to go back to Crete and see if I can isolate this dampening field.”
“And,” said Jo.
“I was hoping to get back to Manchester after the holidays,” complained Owen, “but as you say a find like this could be really important.”
Thanks Owen,” said Jim.
“Yea', thanks,” said Jo and John together.
Owen smiled and wandered back to his conversation with Dr. wade.