Page 6 - Unlikely Stories 5

The Forteana Suppressor

They followed a well-beaten path past the trailer toward the sound.
It went behind a low hill and into an open space where they found
the generator. It sat next to a wide depression in the earth covered by
loose rope netting. Pegs hammered into the ground at intervals held
it in place. A cable ran from the generator through a large opening in
the net into the pit. The absurdity of it made Larry laugh.
“What is he doing here? Makes no sense.”
The generator answered with a knock and a miss. The two men
approached the only access to the space below and peered into it.
Filtered sunlight revealed a broad bowl-shaped cavity, about sixty feet
in diameter and twenty feet deep. In it was an assortment of objects
difficult to discern. The cable went into the middle of what might
have been a small meteor crater and disappeared into the ground.
“Look,” said Keith. “If we follow that cable we can get a better
view of this set-up. I can make out where Femilius must have
climbed down. Steep, but not too steep.”
Larry was doubtful. “Do you think we should? We’re not supposed
to touch anything.”
“So, who’s touching any of his stuff? I just want to see what is
going on down there, if anything. I can get flash pictures if it’s too
dark.”
“Okay.”
They clambered down the incline, half-slipping and sliding on
gravel. Getting out would be an effort, Larry realized. His eyes
adjusted to the lower light, and he surveyed the area. Yes, the cable
disappeared into the earth. Whatever it was powering was out of
sight, below the surface somewhere. Of greater interest to him were
the things lying around on the ground. He saw an anvil, a tree stump,
a pile of tennis balls, a basket of large feathers with tags attached, a
bucket filled with a thick fluid. I wonder, he began, almost out loud,
when Keith interrupted him.
“Now I remember. Femilius is preparing a dramatic presentation
here. When he’s ready he’ll call in the press and the television
cameras and show them what Tesla had unintentionally
accomplished.”
“Huh?”

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