The Beaded Tapestry

Geo- Train – Sub Continent

Dear Analis,

I am making my way across the continent, heading for my new home. It is a four day journey by train and I am enjoying the opportunity to relish the various terrains the planet has to offer. The Equine seems to follow along in the sky above as we speed across the landscape and it gives me an added sense of unfamiliar protection and purpose. As you know, I have always been intrigued by the EM process of transport, so I opted to travel by Geo train for the last leg of my trip. It allows me a good view of the surrounding area and also a chance to experience a fascinating new way of transport. Although there has been various electromagnetic forms of transport on Earth over the centuries, the process on New London has been developed to near perfection by a new element only found here. It is similar to graphene on a molecular level, as it is highly stable, but cavorite (as it has been designated) also has the property of being resistant to gravitational waves. It is named after the material mentioned in H.G. Wells’ historic science fiction novel about the first trip to the moon. A highly fantastic story, but strangely plausible if Wells had only written his story from New London. When cavorite is combined with helium, the resulting material blocks eighty-five percent of the gravitational force exerted by the planet! Cavorite is highly rare and only found on New London so the material is used almost exclusively for the transport industry here. The combination of the cavorite based shell of the train and the use of geomagnetic waves for propulsion has made this type of transport ideal for the environmentally conservative New Londoners. There is no need for tracks or fuel and from what I have noted, geo- trains are the exclusive means of human transport for long distance here. They still use more conventional forms of carriers for cargo, but I am amazed how pristine the countryside remains after two hundred years of occupation. I have traveled for hours without witnessing any evidence of human presence as I watched the scenes pass outside my window. It gives me a slight thrill knowing I will be one of the few pioneers in my portion of New London.

I have booked passage back to Delphi in six months by the same train as there is still unfinished business left to be completed. I received word last night from Addison that a portion of the meteorology equipment needed for my atmospheric testing had not arrived with the rest of the equipment from the Derringer. After several lines of inquiry I found it had been damaged in transport from the space carrier and was being held for inspection. I had to make a late night trip to the cargo quarantine area before I could obtain further information. After examination of the equipment I can happily report that it is repairable. First thing this morning I arranged for it to be picked up by a local repair company. They have assured me the equipment will be operational within four months if my reported repairs were the extent of the damages. I feel more secure in escorting the items in person and it will also allow me to meet with the Flynn representative in person once more during my return trip. My contact from the foundation will be returning to Delphi during that period and I have arranged to meet him. I believe it will ease both our security concerns if we do not share information electronically and I should already have findings to share with him by that time. Since I will not be taking atmospheric reading until the studio is fully operational it will not cause any issue or delay with my work. I only panicked briefly before I was able to make my initial examination. The units are near impossible to obtain on New London and I arranged for only a limited supply of spares to be included in the shipment. A lapse in judgment on my part in retrospect, but luckily the damaged parts are among those available. I wish now I had been more thorough in my selections but there is nothing to be done about it now. I am puzzled by the lack of communication from the transport company and wonder why we had to bring this issue to their attention. I will have to dig a little deeper into this once I have settled as the transport officer offered no explanation when I confronted him. If this had been the only event I would not feel inclined to probe further, but I had an equally strange experience earlier this week.  When I contacted the meteorology department in Delphi they informed me that all solar activity reports were confidential and I did not have adequate clearance for access to them. I explained that I wanted to verify the strange readings our equipment detected on the Phycodurus-8 during the solar flares a few weeks ago.  I was hoping they could supply independent data from New London and assist with predicting any new solar flares in the near future. The person asked me to wait then left the office.  She returned with another woman who explained that they were unable to help me as all solar activity was inaccessible to the general public and I would have to apply for additional clearance.  I filled out the forms she presented but it will take several months to process my request. I left the office very frustrated with the bureaucracy of the whole process.  I knew then that I could set up our own equipment as soon as the site is ready and there would be no need for the clearance other than for the historical data.  This is now impossible due to the damaged equipment. It is a bit too coincidental for me.

We will be making only one stop during the trip where I will be able to disembark from the train for a few hours. Newton is not as large as Delphi but well worth a look according to my fellow travelers. It is located near the halfway point of my final destination so it will be a welcome opportunity for a bit of exercise after two days on the train. One of my fellow travelers directed me to visit a café called Newton’s Orb. We were discussing the cuisine on the train (or the lack thereof) and the subject turned to the availability of coffee here on New London. The café is rumored to have the finest coffee and tea selection this side of the planet and I am looking forward to testing that testimony. There is also a small shop attached to the café that offers their products for purchase and I hope to pick up some coffee to add to my dwindling supply from the Derringer. It was much depleted by my stay on the Phycodurus and I do not want to arrive empty handed at the studio site. I also was told they have a beautiful offering of coffee services created by artists from the local area. Reluctantly I could not bring my antique service grandmother gave me, so I will need something to replace it. It was too delicate for the journey and I left it with mother for safekeeping. I only hope the shop is open during my short time in Newton as I will be sorely disappointed if I have to leave empty handed.

I will write tomorrow with a full description of Newton and hopefully a sparkling review of the café.

Love always,

Victoria