Parker's Folly Read Online Free PDF

Please proceed immediately to the closest radiation shelter, there will be an engine check in 10, repeat, 10 minutes.” The ship's power system was not supposed to produce any detectable radiation, but the last two tests had resulted in small bursts of gamma rays and some errant neutrons. Everything inside the ship was well shielded, but those outside could be exposed. The levels were probably not high enough to be dangerous but there was no sense taking any chances.
    “Attention Control,” he said, activating the ship's voice command system. “Prepare for full-power system test in 10 minutes. Verbal notifications at five and one minutes prior to test.”
    “Yes, Captain,” came the immediate reply in the androgynous voice used by the ship's computer.
    Outside, technicians and construction workers rapidly evacuated the platform surrounding the ship. Looking forward, through the ship's transparent nose, a vertical line of light could be seen marking the crack between the two closed hangar doors. The hangar was originally constructed during WWII to house Navy lighter-than-air craft. Made mostly of wood, the egg-shaped arch of the roof shell was stiffened with a series of transverse metal ribs. The building was 525 feet long, 148 feet wide and 87.5 feet high, a half scale version of similar structures built at Tillamook, Oregon, and Tustin, California.
    The huge pair of doors opened by sliding sideways in the overhead tracks that they hung from. Aside from the light leaking in from the doors, the only natural light came from the twin rows of vents along the peak of the roof. A large, imposing man-made space, housing a mysterious, otherworldly machine—a scene worthy of a James Bond movie villain, he thought to himself.
    TK in his hot-rod wheelchair might just fit that image, but Jack could not see himself in the role of Captain Nemo or Dr. Evil. His life had been full of adventures, and not a few misadventures, but he never thought that he would command a spaceship, even one sitting in a construction hangar on good old Mother Earth.
    On a whim, he addressed the ship's computer again, “Control, would it be possible for me to give you an alternate name?”
    “Of course, Captain, you may call me anything you like.”
    “I would like you to respond to the name 'Folly' from now on, if you don't mind.” Why not he thought, even TK had used the name, and it would be a lot more natural than using 'Control'.
    “Very well, you can address me as 'Folly' from now on. It does seem quite apropos.”
    Apropos? That darn computer was acting more human every day. Both sailors and airmen claimed their vessels developed their own unique personalities over time. This, however, was taking things to an extreme.
    “Attention all personnel, five minutes to power system test” the  PA announced.

Chapter 2
Upton County, Texas, Near the Parker Ranch
    The KWTEX news van pulled up at the gate to TK Parker's ranch. In front of the idling van was a nondescript but sturdy looking gate. Beyond the gate was a dirt road that showed little sign of maintenance. Off in the distance there appeared to be a low ranch style house and farther beyond that, obscured by haze and blowing dust, a much larger structure.
    “You want to get out and look for a doorbell or should I,” asked JT, flexing his arms and back against the seat and steering wheel.
    “I'll do it,” Susan replied, “I see a box on the gate poll on my side. Besides, I need to get the kinks out of my back and stretch my legs.”
    Hopping out of the van, she arched her back and then twisted her torso from side to side. This is truly the back-end of nowhere, she thought, what would motivate a billionaire to buy such a place, let alone live here? I guess you couldn't build a space ship in your backyard in Austin or Dallas without the neighbors complaining, no matter how rich you were.
    The box had a grill, presumably hiding a speaker, and a single large button. “Here goes nothing,” she