Chapter 6: Preparation and Initial Investigation
6a) Preparation for the Visit
Brian sat in his home study, the soft glow of the desk lamp casting a warm light over his desk. Usually tidy, it was now cluttered with papers and open books. He had been researching relevant scientific principles and potential technologies ever since his conversation with Alex. He felt a frisson of excitement in anticipation of seeing the mysterious machine Alex had described.
He could hear the muffled sounds of his wife, Emily, and their son, Danny, in the kitchen. Pushing his chair back, Brian decided to join them. As he entered the kitchen, he saw Danny at the table, eating supper and chatting animatedly about his day at school.
Emily looked up and smiled. "Hey, you’ve been in your cave all evening, you know," she teased gently.
Brian chuckled. "Just needed a break. It’s been a long day."
Emily set down a pot of tea and poured a cup for Brian. "So, what's this big discovery you're off to investigate tomorrow? You seemed pretty excited earlier."
Brian took a sip of tea, considering his words carefully. He didn’t want to alarm her with talk of time machines and unknown dangers. "An old friend from university, Alex, found something unusual near Helmworth. He asked for my help to figure out what it is. It’s probably nothing, but it could be an interesting scientific find."
Emily sensed there was more to the story, but she knew better than to press. "Well, just be careful, okay? I don’t want you getting into anything dangerous."
"I will," Brian assured her. "It's probably nothing, but it will be nice to see Alex again anyway."
After supper, Brian retreated back to his study to check over his equipment: an EMF meter, a Geiger counter, an infrared thermometer, a laptop, a video camera, a radio signal detector, and a tool kit.
He carefully gathered the items, packing them into a sturdy backpack along with a thick woollen sweater. As he worked, his mind went through the possibilities. What if this machine really did manipulate time? The implications were staggering.
Stepping back into the hall again, Brian took a moment to look at his family. Emily was reading on the couch, and Danny was finishing up his homework. The world had become such a complex place, filled with uncertainties and challenges. He hoped that whatever he discovered tomorrow would be something he could share with them, something that would make sense of the chaos.
Later, as Emily and Danny went to bed, Brian lingered in his study, reflecting on the day's events. He looked down at the lock screen photo on his computer—a picture of Emily and Danny smiling on a family holiday. It gave him a moment of solace amidst the whirlwind of thoughts about the upcoming investigation.
Lying in bed that night, Brian’s thoughts kept returning to the machine. Despite the risks, the scientist in him couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the thought of what he might discover. As he drifted off to sleep, his dreams were filled with images of advanced technology and the promise of uncovering something truly extraordinary.
6b) Arriving at the Farm
Fri 5th April 2024
The next morning, Brian set off early for Bingley farm, his backpack loaded with the carefully selected equipment. The journey from his home to the countryside felt like a trip to another world. As he drove, the cityscape gradually gave way to rolling hills and vast, open fields. The transition from concrete to greenery was striking, and while it held a certain charm, Brian couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place.
As he approached, he saw Alex waiting for him near the entrance. It felt like a blessing to see a familiar figure against this unfamiliar backdrop.
“Morning, Brian!” Alex called out, waving as Brian navigated his car to a stop. “How was the drive?”
“Eventful,” Brian replied with a grin, stepping out of the car and stretching his legs. “I’m not exactly used to the countryside. It’s... different.”
Alex chuckled, patting Brian on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Come on, let’s me introduce you to Tommy.”
“Tommy” Thompson, the farmer who owned the land, was waiting by the gate, leaning casually on it while chewing a piece of straw. He eyed Brian with a mix of curiosity and wariness, quickly sensing that Brian was not entirely comfortable with the locale.
“Tommy, this is Brian Mitchell, the physicist I told you about,” Alex said, making the introductions. “Brian, this is Tommy. He’s been kind enough to let us investigate the machine on his property.”
“Nice to meet you, Tommy,” Brian said, extending his hand.
Tommy shook it firmly. “Morning, Brian. Hope you can make some sense of that thing out there. It’s been a real head-scratcher.”
Tommy noticed Brian’s city shoes and the mud already clinging to them. “Sorry about the mess. If you need, I’ve got some boots you can borrow,” he offered.
Brian glanced down at his shoes, then back at Tommy, appreciating the gesture but declining politely. “Thanks, Tommy, but I’ll manage.”
With the formalities out of the way, Alex led Brian across the field to where the machine lay. The ground was damp and slightly muddy, making Brian wish he’d taken up Tommy’s offer of boots. The machine was just as Alex had described—gleaming and otherworldly, its polished surface reflecting the morning light. The high-tech marvel stood out against the rustic setting, underscoring the divide between advanced technology and the simple, earthy environment.
Brian set down his backpack and began unpacking his equipment. He felt a surge of excitement and anticipation as he prepared to examine the machine up close. His first impression was one of awe at the sophisticated design and the materials, which seemed far beyond contemporary technology.
He started with an initial sweep of the machine's exterior, using the EMF meter to measure any electromagnetic fields. The readings were high but consistent, indicating the machine was active but stable. Next, he used the Geiger counter to check for radiation, and was relieved to find none.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Brian muttered, more to himself than anyone else, as he continued his examination. He switched on the video camera, documenting every detail, and took out the infrared thermometer to measure the surface temperature of the machine. The readings were again normal, much to his relief.
As he worked, Brian narrated his observations into the camera, providing a detailed description of the machine’s exterior and interior. The smooth, metallic surface, the seamless joints, and the intricate writing—all of it was fascinating and perplexing.
Alex watched with interest, occasionally pointing out features and explaining how he’d used the translation app to understand some of the words. Brian took notes in his notepad, detailing his observations.
After thoroughly examining the exterior, Brian moved to the interior, carefully stepping into the machine. He used the radio signal detector to scan for any transmissions, noting that the machine seemed to block radio signals from outside. Every step was methodical, aimed at uncovering the machine's secrets.
As the morning progressed, Alex explained what he had already observed, sharing his insights with Brian. The tranquillity of the farm sharply juxtaposed the intensity of their investigation, each discovery bringing them closer to understanding the machine’s purpose and origins.
Brian felt a renewed sense of camaraderie with Alex. Despite the mud and the unfamiliar smells, he found himself deeply engrossed in the work, his scientific curiosity driving him forward. The machine was a puzzle, and Brian was determined to solve it.
6c) Theories and Realizations
Brian stood up, brushing dirt off his trousers as he finished a preliminary scan of the machine's interior. "I've checked for any harmful emissions or radiation. So far, everything seems stable and safe," he reported, trying to inject a bit of humour into the serious atmosphere. "I don’t think you’ll be having any mutations or third arms growing."
Alex chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "That's a relief. What else have you found?"
Brian walked over to his equipment, picking up the radio signal detector. "This thing is incredible. It's blocking all radio signals from the outside. It's like a Faraday cage, completely isolating itself from the outside environment. That’s why you couldn’t get a signal inside."
Alex was intrigued. "So, it's designed to be self-contained. What about its power source? Any idea how it’s running?"
"Not yet" Brian admitted. "But it’s emitting a consistent electromagnetic field. I haven’t detected any traditional power sources like batteries or fuel cells. It could be drawing energy from an unknown source or generating its own somehow."
Alex frowned, trying to process the information. "And the materials? They seem... unusual."
Brian agreed enthusiastically. "Exactly. The exterior is composed of a metal alloy that I can't quite identify. It’s incredibly durable and feels unlike any material I’ve encountered. The interior is even more fascinating—those controls and screens are made of a substance that’s both flexible and resilient, almost like a hybrid of metal and plastic. It’s truly remarkable."
He opened his notepad, showing Alex the sketches and notes he had been making. "Look at this. As you said, the characters on the controls appear to be a form of Chinese writing. I’ve been documenting the various words and phrases so that I can check them at home later."
Alex examined the notes closely. "Do you have any idea what any of them mean yet?"
Brian took a deep breath, trying to steady his excitement. " Maybe. Look at this," he said, flipping through his notes to a recent page. "I've been working on translating some of the more common sequences of glyphs. Here, this one seems to mean 'coordinate input' and this one 'confirm entry.' It’s fascinating—the way the symbols are structured suggests a sophisticated interface for inputting destinations, locations and times."
Alex studied the notepad closely. "So, we might be looking at some kind of advanced navigation system?"
"Exactly," Brian confirmed. "It's like a puzzle, and these glyphs are the pieces. If we can understand how to input coordinates properly, we might be able to control the machine's destinations with more precision. And here's a symbol here that I think relates to the machine's power source or readiness state. If we can decipher that, we might get a better handle on how to prepare the machine for a bigger jump."
Alex’s eyes widened with realization. "So, if we decode this, we might be able to control where and when we go. We could actually navigate this thing to different times and locations of our choice?”
Brian smiled, the thrill of discovery evident in his eyes. "We’re making progress, Alex. Slow but steady. It may take a while, but every bit of information brings us closer to mastering this technology."
Alex considered this thoughtfully. "So, where is the machine from? Any theories?"
Brian took a deep breath, considering his words. "Well, based on the design and the materials, I’d say this machine is far beyond current human technology. It’s sophisticated and carefully engineered. The fact that it can manipulate time, as you’ve described, suggests an advanced understanding of physics that we haven’t yet achieved."
He paused, considering the possibilities. "It could be from the future or developed by a highly advanced civilization. The isolation from external signals might be a safety feature to prevent interference during time travel."
Alex looked quizzically at Brian. "So, you think it’s safe to use again? If so, we need to figure out how to help Ry-Lan and understand what this machine is truly capable of."
Brian thought for a second. "I think it's stable, but we need to be cautious. We should document everything meticulously and proceed step by step. If we’re going to use it again, we need to understand exactly what we’re dealing with."
As they rested for a moment, Alex reflected on Brian’s insights. The serene atmosphere of the farm provided a moment of calm amidst their high-tech investigation. They were still far from understanding the machine’s full capabilities, but each discovery brought them closer to the truth.
6d) Planning for Further Action
Resting on a couple of large rocks at the edge of the field, Alex and Brian began to discuss their next steps. The tranquil farm setting, with the sound of birds chirping and the distant bleating of sheep, provided a soothing backdrop to their intense conversation.
"Brian, do you think we should involve others to help?" Alex asked, looking out over the fields. "There’s a lot we still don’t understand, and more expertise could be helpful."
Brian took a moment to consider the question. "Involving more people could certainly accelerate our understanding, but it would also come with complications. Once the authorities or more scientists are involved, we would lose all control over the situation. We’d probably never see the machine again."
Alex thought about Brian’s statement. "I will have to file a report to my boss, but I can downplay the significance. Make it sound like we’re dealing with something minor, a bit of a non-event. That way, we can keep things under wraps for now."
Alex paused, an idea forming in his mind. "If the machine were to 'disappear,' that might simplify things. We could move it to the university where you have access to better resources."
Brian shook his head. "Then I might face exactly the same issues you're worried about once my superiors find out."
Alex felt a heavy burden from his responsibilities. "Ry-Lan is still alive, and as long as he is, the machine belongs to him. His message seemed significant and, to be honest, I feel more duty-bound to him than to my job. Once the authorities get more involved, his wishes will be lost in the bureaucracy."
Brian agreed. "You're right. We need to respect Ry-Lan’s wishes and handle this delicately. The best course of action might be to try and travel to where Ry-Lan is from. His people might be able to help us understand the machine and his condition better. Plus, we could set up probes inside the machine and film the entire process, so even if we can’t find them, we can gather as much data as possible."
Alex was about to speak when his radio crackled to life. "Control to Harper, we've got a traffic collision in Westfield. Can you respond?"
Alex grimaced. "Duty calls. I'll leave you here with the machine, Brian. Can you continue studying the user interface and documenting everything you find?"
"Absolutely. I’ll spend the rest of the day here, making notes and trying to decode more of this writing."
"Thanks, Brian. I should also visit the hospital to check on Ry-Lan once I’m done with the incident. We need to keep an eye on his condition."
As Alex turned to leave, he suddenly remembered the card for the machine. "Sorry, Brian, I nearly went off with this," he said, reaching into his pocket and handing it to Brian.
"Thanks, mate. See you soon," Brian replied with a smile.
As Alex headed towards his car, he felt a mixture of relief and anticipation. They had a plan, and while the path ahead was uncertain, he was determined to uncover the truth about the mysterious machine and Ry-Lan's urgent message.
6e) Brian's Solo Investigation
Brian watched as Alex drove off, leaving him alone with the machine. The early afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the farm. He took a deep breath, the air filled with the scent of grass and the faint hum of the machine. The tranquillity of the surroundings was at odds with the complex task before him.
He took out his notepad and phone again, ready to tackle more of the user interface of the machine. Brian had always been methodical, and this situation called for his most meticulous approach. He climbed back into the machine, the interior becoming familiar but still filled with an air of mystery.
Inside, the soft ambient lighting cast a glow over the controls. Brian sat in the chair, his eyes scanning the array of touchscreens and buttons. He opened the translation app on his phone, ready to decode more of the enigmatic writing. He started by photographing the screens, ensuring he had clear images of each symbol and sequence.
Brian focussed on a set of characters he hadn't examined closely before. He held his phone up to the screen, using the camera to capture the symbols and translate them in real-time. The translations were often rough and required some interpretation, but they provided a starting point. He jotted down the results in his notepad, creating a reference guide for the various commands.
Brian's notepad quickly filled with sketches and notes, each page a step closer to understanding the machine. He carefully documented each symbol and its potential meaning, cross-referencing them with previous observations. The more he worked, the clearer the interface became. The glyphs weren't just random; they formed a coherent system.
Hours passed as Brian continued his meticulous study. Occasionally, he would step outside the machine to stretch his legs and clear his mind, the peaceful surroundings of the farm providing a brief respite before he returned to his task. Each time he re-entered the machine, he felt a renewed sense of determination.
Brian felt hungry as his stomach rumbled now and then. He wished he had packed some food, a blunder that he made in his hurry to collect equipment, a mistake that made the day feel even longer.
Brian was making steady progress. He had identified several key symbols and their functions, creating a rudimentary understanding of the machine's interface. He still had many questions, but the framework was beginning to take shape. He decided to take a break and review his findings. Brian sat outside the machine, his notepad in hand, and began to organise his notes. The challenge was immense, but he felt a growing sense of excitement. The machine was revealing its secrets, one symbol at a time.
He knew that there was still much to learn, but with each discovery, the path forward became clearer. The machine's capabilities were extraordinary, and understanding its interface was the key to unlocking its full potential. He wondered when Alex would return. He was looking forward to sharing his findings with Alex and to discuss what they might do next.