Tesla's Signal (15 page)

Three of the aliens came up to surround him. With some effort, he struggled to his feet and held out his hands in a gesture of friendship. “Greetings—I'm Nikola Tesla, of the planet Earth.”

One of the creatures, the one with the longest stripes, began to emit low-pitched hums and growls. English words came out of the ear device which he wore. “I am K'va K'viin, captain of the Void Stalker, of the U'jaan Sky Voyager Fleet. You are hearing my voice from the translator.”

A machine that translates!
He tried to picture the circuitry involved.
This was an advanced race indeed. And this was the scientific moment of the century—in fact, of all time—and here he stood tongue-tied. “W...welcome to Earth. Do you come from Mars?”

“We came from
Abode
,” said K'viin. “It is our habitat, presently orbiting the world next to yours in this system.”

Mars. I knew it!
He hadn't been hallucinating. He
had
seen something in that telescope! “How do you know our language?”

“We have been studying your planet,” said the translated voice of K'viin. “We have come to help you.”

Overcome with joy, Niko bowed and put a hand to his heart. “Truly this is a great day for humanity.”

Another Martian addressed him. “I am K'va Z'duun—Science Specialist of the Fleet. We have picked up high-voltage discharges from your world. Are you the originator of these signals?”

“Yes sir. They came from my high-frequency wireless transmitters, in Colorado and here at the Wardenclyffe Tower.”

The alien named Z'duun paused for a second, probably while the translator kicked in, and responded. “What is the nature of your energy source?”

“I created an electrical current of high potential, using an alternating current generator, and a transformer to produce high voltages.”

“Fascinating. Describe the functioning of your transmitter.”

“Yes, sir. The Wardenclyffe tower uses the principle of Earth resonance. It was built to send wireless power and communication around the planet....”

Z'duun paused for a moment, listening to his translating machine. “Are there many similar devices used among your species?”

“No sir,” Niko answered. “My tower is the only device like it on all of Earth.”

“Fascinating.” Z'duun bent to inspect him. “Since we detected your first signal, we have been searching for its origin. Though your world appears primitive, I believed that this signal was no anomaly, but the work of an intelligent creature. Earthman Nik'laa-Tes'laa, are you a ruler, or one of the elite high priests of this planet?”

“What? I'm just a scientist. Sir.”

“But you are the master of this world's energy and communication?”

“Well...not yet. Perhaps after I finish my World Wireless Tower. But yes, I have achieved mastery in the electrical sciences.” No need to be modest! “Just 10 years ago I developed the polyphase alternating current system and gave the gift of electrical power to humanity.”

“Amazing.” The Captain of the Sky Voyagers pushed up a section of his helmet, revealing shiny, bulging eyes the size of golf balls. These eyes now fixed Niko with an intense gaze. “Your world is backward, and yet you yourself appear to have advanced scientific abilities. How fortunate that we have found you!”

The Martians turned to each other and spoke in their low-pitched language, while their limbs moved about in apparent excitement. The Captain turned back to him.

“Earthman Tes'laa, we have come to give a great gift to your planet. You shall have the privilege of helping us.”

Niko's heart raced with excitement. This was the moment of which he had dreamed for so many years. An advanced race had come to Earth to share their knowledge and wisdom—which humans sorely needed. “I'd be proud to help. I hope our species can exchange knowledge for our mutual benefit.”

“We need someone like you,” said Z'duun, “a creature of superior intellect to help us with our Mission. You have mastered electrical current. Do you also understand the sciences of the Nexus, the Manifestor, and the Shyllan Shield?”

“The
what?”
There must be a language gap, for he had no idea what they were talking about. “N-no sirs, but I am eager to learn the mysteries of the Universe. That's why I sent my signal, in hopes that our planets can exchange knowledge.” He couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. “May I ask you some questions? What sort of propulsion do you use in your machines? Will you teach me about your anti-gravity drive?”

“Those things are not your concern,” said Z'duun. “Our interest is in your communication apparatus. We would like to transmit a message to Earth.”

“By all means,” Niko said, “but I have a question. What is the purpose of this device?” He pointed to the cuff which the aliens had placed on his wrist. This object appeared to be made of a flexible metal—he could not determine its type. It gave off a pearly glow, and produced a peculiar tingling sensation.

“It is for your comfort,” said another of his Martian escorts. This one's helmet possessed a glassy aperture, like a camera lens, at the center of the forehead. “To help you adjust to the ship's gravity, and compensate for trace elements in the ship's atmosphere.”

“I see.” Niko tried to imagine how an anti-gravity cuff might work, but the thoughts faded away. Since he had come aboard the ship, an increasing feeling of tranquility had been growing in him. All that mattered was that these kindly Martians had his best interests at heart. They were going to take care of him—and the whole human race!

“Now come with us,” Z'duun said. “We will show you the transmitter we wish to use.”

They proceeded down white corridors and into small chambers that apparently whisked them to some other location...Niko tried to keep track of where they were going, but found it difficult to concentrate. Finally they entered a huge laboratory space.

“This is the Orb,” said Z'duun, “our communications device. Like the devices we wear, it will translate and send messages.”

There, inside a metal scaffold, sat a large silvery sphere. He stared, fascinated, watching the swirls and pulses of light on its surface. It emanated faint vibrations, a message he could feel all through his body, seeming to resonate with the cuff on his wrist. 

“You will connect the Orb to your Tower,” said K'viin. “We will broadcast a message of peace and goodwill to Earth.”

Niko moved closer and studied the Orb, which was a bit larger than himself. It appeared to be hollow with an opening underneath. “Interesting.” He pictured this Orb inside the cupola of Wardenclyffe, sitting atop the central column. What a fine sight that would be! For a moment he indulged in his fantasy of the completed Tower, the crown jewel of his Worldwide Wireless System. This Orb would look majestic as it sent out messages to all the world.

“Are you capable of this task?” said K'viin.

“I believe so.” Niko wondered what sort of circuits it contained, and stooped to look inside. “I'd need to learn your communication principles—frequencies, voltage requirements. Do you use electricity as we know it, or do you have some other power source?”

“You will be taught all you need to know.”

Z'duun then conferred with the others for a moment and K'viin turned back to Niko. “You are truly the most superior specimen of your race. Complete this task successfully, and we'll make you the ruler of this planet.”

Niko shook his head. “Sirs, I don't want to rule. I just want to learn, and improve the lot of humanity.” He hesitated, then dared to speak further. “I'm interested in developing a free and inexhaustible power source for the human race. Can you help me?”

“We intend to help your race,” Z'duun assured him, but did not elaborate.

“Then, will you be meeting with prominent world leaders soon?”

“All of Earth's leaders will receive our guidance. Come, it's time for you to rest.”

One of the Martians touched a device to his neck, and Niko felt his eyelids growing heavy. He had no memory of even reaching a bed, before unconsciousness took him.

***

He woke to find himself lying on a red velvet couch. Art Nouveau prints hung on a nearby wall. A bottle of Merlot and two crystal wine glasses sat on a round, glass-topped table. Strangest of all, someone had dressed him in a white shirt, collar and formal dinner jacket. “What in the...”
Am I dreaming?
Or...perhaps the arrival of the Martian visitors had been the dream? Had he somehow gone back in time, and returned to his suite at the Waldorf?

“Hello, Nikola,” said a woman's voice. “You like it?”

He turned to see a plush chair, and the bottom edge of a white gown, its folds clinging to a pair of  shapely legs. Startled, he sat up to confront a lovely woman with luxuriant chestnut curls, perfect teeth and a china-doll complexion. Her eyes, heavily ringed with mascara, had a strange  silvery sheen to them.

“Well, good day, Ma'am.” He had to admit that this was a pleasant surprise. “I believe you must be human. Am I right?”

“Oh yeah, sweetheart, you bet I'm human.”

“Where is this place? What am I doing here?” He tried to stand, but couldn't quite manage it.
What's wrong with me? Am I drunk?
 

She laughed. “Why, you're gonna join me for dinner, of course!”

“No—I mean...am I on Mars? Earth?”

“Shh.” She held up a perfectly manicured finger. “Relax. Just enjoy, Nicky. We're on the space ship—
Void Stalker
, they call it—but this is part of my special suite for visitors. Just like a fancy hotel, ain't it? Take a look at this, ain't it pretty?” She leaned closer and gave Niko a perfect view of her deep cleavage, accentuated by a tight corset. Her long red fingernail pointed at the large, pearly pendant nestled between her breasts. He could not look away. He had seen that glowing hue, felt that frequency before...

The cuff...the Orb.
They emitted a frequency that made him tranquil; passive. He fought to keep his mind sharp. “Who are you...what are you doing here?”

“I'm Sister Shelia. I've been honored to join the Angels.”

“What angels? What are you talking about?”

“Why, our glorious Sky Visitors, of course.”

“You mean the Martians?”

“Oh no, Nikola, they are not from Mars, but from the Heavenly Realm itself. Can't you feel the glorious lightness?”

“Yes, I thought perhaps their world has lighter gravity than Earth...”

She raised a finger for silence. “Yep, like I said, they're from Heaven. They rescued me a few years ago. I was mired in sin, y'see.” Her red-painted lips shaped a sly grin. “The Angels saved me, and taught me their language. I taught them ours, and everything about us humans. And then,” Shelia said, “they gave me the Angel Jewel and made me one of their Chosen Vessels.” She showed him her shapely bare foot. Right at the Achilles heel, she pointed to a tiny sparkling diamond.

“What's it for?”

“So that I can always hear their commands,” said Shelia with a rapturous smile. She sat down next to him, putting a friendly hand on his arm. “You're gonna be trained to be a Chosen Vessel as well, and take part in our glorious Mission.”

“Now wait just a minute.” He mustered up all his will and tried to focus on the situation. “Just what is this glorious 'Mission', if I might ask?”

“To bring blessing to all beings, of course.”

He frowned. “What sort of blessing?” All this religious talk was making him uncomfortable. But he could see what she meant: Since he had come aboard this ship he had felt such emanations of tranquility, peace...

“Y'see, Nicky, this world needs the Angels. They're gonna save us and bring world peace and harmony. They came from a world destroyed by war. That's why they want to save other planets from the same fate. You believe in peace, don't you, Nicky?”

“Of course.” Niko hated war. As a youth, he'd gone into hiding in the mountains to avoid conscription.

“Well, you can see that—” A chime interrupted her. “Ah. There's our dinner!” She opened a sliding door on a nearby wall, to reveal a conveyor belt. There, on two inlaid trays, sat a banquet's worth of covered dishes, along with fine china, silver, and white linen napkins.  

A wonderful aroma assailed him.“Good Lord, that smells delicious,” Niko murmured, suddenly ravenous. Since he'd gone bankrupt, his menu had consisted mostly of cheese and crackers. And nothing at all since boarding the ship...how long ago?

She laid out the place settings on the glass table and lifted the cover off the main dish. “My God, it's Delmonico Steak,” he exclaimed.

He sat, bit into a warm dinner roll, and then stopped to wipe the silver with a napkin as was his former habit. “I used to eat at Delmonico's all the time. I was a famous man—the restaurant manager gave me my own private table.”  He couldn't resist bragging a little. “I dined with celebrities like Mark Twain, Rudyard Kipling, Stanford White. Oh yes, Miss Shelia, I was the toast of the town!”

She put a hand on his shoulder. The hand contained about ten pounds of diamond rings and pearl bracelets. “You could have that again, Nicky. Come work with the Angels and you could be the wealthiest man on earth. Richer than J. P. Morgan!”