"You did it, Ken."

"Did what, dammit?"

"You entered theta-alpha. The final stage of alpha state.

You were so relaxed, relaxed in such a deep neurological sense, that your mind opened up to its maximum capacity."

"So what was that shock-electrocution, you said . . . ?"

"ANTARES. The system detects when you enter theta-alpha and begins the process of integration. The shock you felt was the Activation of the ANTARES system-it was the first time, Ken, the very first time, so far as we know, that a computer and the human mind have been linked, even if it was only for a split second. You've made some history, my friend. Decem- ber third, in the year nineteen hundred and ninety-four, at seven-thirty-eight A., a human mind and a computer were linked-not merely in contact, but linked-for the first time."

"Forget history, Carmichael. I asked you what that shock was. "

"Yes, well to facilitate the tracing of your neural impulses, we created a slight electrical field of our own through your suit. We charged the suit with a tiny electrical-"

43.

"Tiny? You call that tiny? I felt like I was frying!"

"Milliamperes, I assure you," Carmichael replied jovially.

"About the same as a nine-volt toy battery. It does no per- manent damage that we can detect-"

"That's real reassuring, Doc."

"You're experiencing the same irritation that anyone feels when violently awakened from REM sleep," Carmichael said.

"Try to relax. We'd like to try for another interface."

"So you can shock me like some chimpanzee?" There was a limit.

"Ken, we're on the threshold." Carmichael had turned on the microphone again and had closed the visors. "We've proven that our system works, that our equipment can respond to a specific and up to now unexplored neurological state. If we can complete the interface we may actually be able to establish communications between a machine and the human mind. I don't mean to sound overly melodramatic, but this is at least comparable as a scientific breakthrough to the discov- ery of the semiconductor. It is important that we try again.

But this time you must try to ignore the electrical charge when it happens."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"There's no training manual for this . . . you must maintain theta-alpha through the interface process. I'm really not sure how to tell you to do that. Think of something else, try to shut out the pain. After a while the system will help you, but you must be able to endure the first wave of it until the system can learn how to help - "

"What about drugs?"

"Drugs would interfere with the neurological impulses in your system. Besides, this program is based on creating an aircraft that responds to thought commands. We can't very well go around drugging all our pilots before sending them into combat. "

The full realization of what was happening finally hit him.

"You really intend to put this system on an aircraft. You say you can control an aircraft just by thinking?"

"Exactly. We already use sophisticated computers to fly our jets. But with ANTARES, we've developed the most powerful computer of all-the human brain. It's a thousand times more 44 .

powerful, a hundred times faster, and a million time s more reliable than any computer ever conceived or conceivable.

" You've flown Colonel McLanahan's F-15 ATF-imagine putting all this on a plane like Cheetah. Or a plane more so- phisticated than Cheetah-you've seen the plans for the new fighter they're developing, the X-34. Imagine the speed and power of your mind going into the X-34. It would be all but invincible, more powerful than a squadron of F-15s. It would rewrite most everything we know about fighter combat."

Carmichael paused. "And you would be the first pilot."

Maraklov was stunned. This was miles beyond anything he'd hoped or bargained for. Carmichael was serious. They actually were going to move ahead with plans to put all this on an airplane.

"But how can all this gear go into an aircraft?"

"Ken, this is a laboratory. We do everything on huge scales because we have the room to spread out. But in the real world we'd miniaturize all this. With new microchips and supercon- ducting technology, most of the computers in this lab can be miniaturized to the size of a -steamer trunk. In three years that trunk-sized computer could be the size of a toaster. By the turn of the century it could be down to the size of a walnut."

He relaxed and smiled for the first time since entering what he had once thought of as Carmichael's chamber of horrors. It sounded far-fetched, but they could really be on the verge of a massive technological breakthrough. If they were, then Ken James, alias Andrei Maraklov, a newly promoted major of in- fantry in the KGB, was to be the principal, the key actor in a remarkable scientific discovery.

"All right," he said. "Fire it up again."

Carmichael signaled to his technicians.

"But make sure you spell the name right in the history books.

It's-".

"I know," Carmichael said. "J-A-M-E-S."

No, he said to himself, beginning his deep breathing exer- cises, starting from his toes and consciously ordering every muscle to relax. Spell it M-A-R-A-K-L-O-V.

45.

The Kremlin, Moscow, USSR Thursday, 6 December 1994, 1451 EET (0551 EST) "In summary, then, General Secretary," General Boris Cher- kov, Chief of Staff of the military forces of the Soviet Union concluded, "we still command a substantial lead in both con- ve ntional and nuclear forces in Europe and Asia, and we should be able to maintain that superiority through the rest of this century. I am ready to take questions."

No one in the Kollegiya raised any; few ever did during these briefings. The men and women who made up the lead- ership of the Soviet military, intelligence and state bureaucracy sat mute, nodding to Cherkov as if congratulating him on his presentation-the same one he had given during the past three years, and very similar to the one that the General Secretary had heard since assuming the office. Now he turned to Vladimir Kalinin, chief of the Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti, the KGB. "Do you have a comment?"

"Just this. How is it possible that we are so superior? With respect, sir, I question the conclusions made here this after- noon. Since the late eighties and in this year of 1994 as well, the Americans have begun a steady increase in levels of con- ventional forces all over the world, including western Europe.

We know they have a space-based strategic defense system in place that is more sophisticated than our ground-based one.

Intermediate-range nuclear forces have been eliminated, our strategic nuclear forces have just been cut in half, and biolog- ical weapons have been eliminated. We have been forced to draw down the size of all our forces to help relieve our budget problems and promote perestroika. How can we be maintaining such a large advantage over the United States and the NATO forces-? "

"Because of our continuing five-to-one numerical advantage and our increasing technological achievements," Chief-of-Staff Cherkov broke in. "For the first time we have an aircraft car- rier force that rivals the Americans'-- "We have three carriers. The Americans have seventeen.

Even the British have more than we do."

"We have an unrivaled worldwide cargo-transport capabil- ity. In each and every area we-"

"If we commandeer every civilian-passenger jet in Aero- 46 DAIE BROWN.

flot," KGB chief Kalinin interrupted, "not counting civil transports, the Americans still have more airlift capacity. We can juggle numbers, but the fact is that we have lost the ad- vantage. The Americans have fielded two new types of fighters in Europe in the past ten years; we have fielded one. The Americans have launched two new aircraft carriers in the past ten years and equipped each one with new F-31 fighters. We still have one carrier of equivalent size in sea-trials, with fifteen-year-old fighters on board. In every area except armor and total manpower we have either lost our advantage or suffer a real lessening of whatever advantage we retain."

"Times have changed," Minister of Defense Andrei Tovo- rin said. "Our security is no longer based exclusively on mil- itary strength. We have treaties and agreements with many nations. We have mutual verifiable cuts in strategic and tactical nuclear weapons, beginning with the INF treaty . . . "

"But we do not agree to roll over and accept domination by the West," Kalinin said. "Sir, you will be on American tele- vision in one hour, smiling at their cameras, saying how de- lighted you are at the progress that has been made since you signed the INF Treaty seven years ago. But, sir, the peace and security of our nation still depends on the strong arms and backs of our people, rather than on pieces of paper. Those treaties will be the first things to be set on fire in a major conflict-"

"Are you saying that this nation is in danger because we have agreed to reduce the number of nuclear weapons pointed at us?" the General Secretary asked. "Are you saying that we are in greater danger of destruction as a nation now than ten years ago?"

"I believe we were more secure ten years ago, yes," Kalinin said. "Then I knew that we had the military capability and the national resolve to defend ourselves against any attack. Now, I am not so sure. For the first time in my career I wonder whether we could resist an invasion of western Europe or hold off a NATO invasion of western Russia. I question the security of our cities and military bases. And yet I see American stores and American hotels being built in Moscow. Where is all this taking us?"

"Into the future," General Cherkov said. "The truth is we 47.

are a richer, more secure nation than ever. We also are a mem- ber of the world community, no longer the ugly Russian bear. "

Kalinin said nothing. The General Secretary, probably the most popular Soviet leader in history, was a formidable enough opponent in the government. But along with Cherkov, the mil- itary veteran and hero of Afghanistan and Africa, the opposi- tion was all but overwhelming.

"This meeting is adjourned," the General Secretary said, and accepted the handshakes and good luck wishes from the Kollegiya members. Kalinin stayed behind after the rest of the members, except Cherkov, had left.

"I apologize for spoiling the mood of the meeting, sir, but I feel I have a duty to express my opinion-"

"You are correct," the General Secretary said. "I encour- age such discussions; you know that."

"Yes, sir." The General Secretary was getting ready to leave for the new Kremlin press office for his interview. "Sir . . . I need your authorization for additional manpower on an ongo- ing project. I need ten more men for five years overseas."

The General Secretary straightened papers in his briefcase.

"Overseas? "

"The United States. Deep cover operation on an American military-research base."

The General Secretary paused, glanced at Cherkov, then shook his head. "It sounds like a major escalation. Ten people on one base?"

Kalinin tried to control his irritation. The General Secretary, it seemed, had already decided in the negative but wanted to pump his KGB chief for information before saying no. "In one city, actually," Kalinin pushed on. "Perhaps two or three on the base itself, one or two on a separate research center nearby. "

"This perhaps refers to Dreamland?" General Cherkov asked. "More activity there?"

"It is Dreamland," Kalinin admitted. The old than was well- informed. The crafty Chief-of-Staff's small but hig ly e cient cadre of internal investigators were still very much hard at work spying on the KGB for the General Secretary. "We have re- c6ived information on a new American project that I believe should be of great interest to us."

"Obviously," the General Secretary deadpanned. "Ten new 7-.

48 .

operatives in one area at one time is a lot. Is there a danger of discovery? "

"There is always that chance, sir. But this project is so im- portant I feel the additional manpower is absolutely vital."

"Wasn't your young pilot assigned to Dreamland? " Cher- kov asked. "The deep-cover agent that you managed to help transfer from their Strategic Air Command?"

"Major Andrei Maraklov, yes, and he is the one who has reported on a new American project that I must track very closely.

"And this project?"

Kalinin hesitated-he didn't expect to be grilled like this. As reported to him so far, the new project was so unusual that he didn't fully understand it; it was going to be very difficult ex- plaining it to the General Secretary. This was another chango from practices of ten years ago-back then, the government was so large and, more to the point, so bureaucratically com- partmentalized that sending ten or even fifty new agents to the United States was relatively easy. Now all personnel move- ment, even covert or so-called diplomatic transfers, were ap- proved in advance. "I'm talking about a project begun by the same research '& center we obtained the short takeoff and landing data from,"

Kalinin said. "Maraklov has been assigned to a project study- ing . . . thought-controlled fighter aircraft-"

" Thought-controlled aircraft? " The General Secretary quickly looked down at the small stack of papers on his desk- apparently stifling his skepticism.

"Maraklov reports they've had significant success with this project," Kalinin said, stiffening. "I feel it is very impor- tant . . . "

The General Secretary shook his head. "I am sorry, but ten men for such a project is too much. I can authorize two in the Los Angeles consulate, and this must be coordinated with the foreign minister."

"But, sir, I was going to use two men as handlers for Mar- aklov. The handlers are very important. Maraklov's move- ments are carefully monitored and more than one contact is essential. If I only have two new men and use them as handlers I will not have any for inside duties at the research center.

49.

"I have another meeting, Kalinin," the General Secretary said, snapping shut his briefcase. "I am scheduled to be in Los Angeles in one month. It will not look well if a large-scale deep-cover ring is discovered. I can't risk that. Two men only, Kalinin. If more information on this project comes in, I may reconsider. Now I must go."

As the General Secretary moved around his desk to leave, Kalinin quickly stepped toward him, not blocking his way but obviously wanting to hold his attention a moment longer. "Sir, I assure you, this is most urgent."

The General Secretary looked directly at his KGB chief. He was shorter than Kalinin by several centimeters and at least twenty years older; Kalinin had a full head of dark brown hair, the General Secretary was bald except for graying temples.

The older man was solidly built and only recently giving way to fat; Kalinin was lean, as athletic as a career bureaucrat from Leningrad could manage.

Yet as they stood face-to-face, the General Secretary exuded a power that was considerably more than physical. He had a presence, an aura, an intensity that had all but mesmerized heads of government around the world. His eyes were espe- cially effective in seizing and transfixing.

"Vladimir, the KGB has been well supported by this gov- ernment. I have given you my support. I did so even when the Politburo believed I had made a wrong decision in appointing you to head the KGB. I believed the KGB needed a strong young leader for the future, and I chose you. I know that you look to something greater than merely the head of the world's largest intelligence organization-perhaps minister of defense or even General Secretary. Your ambitions are your own affair.

But do not accuse me, Vladimir. I do what is in the best interest of our country and this government, including the KGB. "

1 Kalinin saw the understated power in those blue eyes. After eight years in power, he was still considered by many to be the most influential man on the world scene. With glasnost now an important part of Soviet life, the General Secretary was much more visible in the eyes of the world. Kalinin realized confrontations at this time were pointless and even dangerous.

But the man was getting older. Older and more cautious.

Nearly every decision involved weighing how it would look in the eyes of the world. Kalinin didn't much care about the eyes so of the world-he cared about Russia, her security, based on her strength. The Soviet Union was not just another member of the world community-she was, or should be, its leader.

The General Secretary studied the younger man's eyes for a moment before moving toward the door. Cherkov, once the General Secretary's mentor and now his submissive guard-dog, followed him out.

The General Secretary might be, as some said, a visionary, Kalinin thought, but right now he was being dangerously short- sighted. Forget him this time, Kalinin told himself. This was a KGB project-it would remain a KGB project.

And if there was any way for this strange new American technology to advance his own position in the government, then let it happen.

Air Force High Technology Advanced Weapons Center (HAWC) Wednesday, 10 June 1996, 0430 PDT (0730 EDT) AIR FoRCE LIEUTENANT Colonel Patrick S. McLanahan watched Captain Kenneth Francis James preparing to mount his "steed."

James' tall, powerfully built frame was covered-a better term might have been "encased"-in a stiff flight suit made of nylon and metallic thread. James had to carry around a small portable air conditioning unit to stay comfortable, and the suit was so stiff that James had to be hoisted into his steed on a hydraulic lift. A small army of "squires"-military and civilian scientists and technicians, led by Doctor Alan Carmichael, the chief proj- ect engineer and Patrick's civilian counterpart-followed James on his lift up toward his incredible steed.

Both McLanahan's and James' aircraft were in a large open- ended hangar, used more to shield the two fighters from the ultra-magnified eyes of Soviet reconnaissance satellites than to protect against the weather. It was only four-thirty in the mom- ing, but the temperature was already starting to climb; it was going to be a scorcher in the high Nevada desert test-site north of Las Vegas known as Dreamland.

But Patrick wasn't thinking about the heat. His eyes were on the sleek lines of the jet fighter before him.

DreamStar . . .

As McLanahan stood gazing at the fighter the senior noncom- missioned officer of the DreamStar project, Air Force Master Sergeant Ray Butler, moved alongside him.