Shortly afterwards there I am traveling military aircraft from Brasilia to Manaus. A long trip on the green carpet Amazon! It makes me think how great Brazil and how little we know about everything that happens before our eyes! If a military boat may be invisible, what else can exist around us without us knowing for sure what's going on? If technology has reached such a level, then none of us are free from being spied on in an even closer. Perhaps very soon a person can be at my side, totally invisible to my eyes, listening to everything I say and seeing what I write or insinuate. Maybe even with a gun pointed at me while I pick up the phone to say something that maybe I should not. The world is getting too dangerous!
The invisibility for military purposes can degenerate international relations and even end up with the future of human society! I'm just here to observe and report everything to the future. But I have the impression that it will not be easy to follow this mission.
- Attention, gentlemen! Let's go through a zone of turbulence. I ask you to remain calm because everything is under control.
That makes me think that an invisible plane could kill us at that time and everyone will think that the fall was caused by this turbulence. I think I'm exaggerating! Does all this can actually be happening? The world would be prepared for a war of invisibility? Tanks and soldiers marching in silence would destroy an entire town, killing any resistance to military advance! Aircraft and ships attacking the other side would be visible only when they were close and shooting at their targets. Political leaders, religious or social groups would be killed by small military infiltrates and no one would know exactly what happened! I can’t stop thinking negatively! I do not see how this new technology could be useful for the evolution of humanity! The turbulence begins and I notice the faces of the young soldiers that most of them are concerned, but some have fun with it. A new bump stronger in midair makes the mood of the soldiers moved. I notice that the airplane is banked and the pilot speaks again to everyone on board:
- Attention, gentlemen! We are making a small change of route to deviate from the strong turbulence in this region.
There we are increasing the journey time consuming that only happened in my mind. I decide then start writing. I grab my tablet, from inside my backpack stays in the seat beside me.
I write about the initial interview I had with Admiral Figueiredo. Distracted in my thoughts and in new journalistic work that I began to develop, nor realize how much time has passed. I write about my fears and initial impression on the subject of invisibility.
Watch photos and general information on some boats Stealth Americans and realize your unique design and full of angles. I take to study via internet history human battles. I notice all about man's attempt at camouflaging their weapons, soldiers and armored vehicles and discover how old are these activities from the time we hunted to survive on this planet!
At the time I have left, I study much detail as possible the likely path that will make the River Solimões to the triple border between Brazil, Peru and Colombia.
I take this opportunity to know more about the major municipalities within the banks of the largest river in the world and also learn about their natural resources.
- Attention, gentlemen! We are approaching the military airport in Manaus Ponta Pelada. Fasten your seat belts and relax. In a few minutes we'll be on the ground!
To hear this was a relief! The long journey is very tiring. The gigantic landscape makes me think about the possibility of the plane crash in the middle of nowhere!
Now I'm eager to know the means of transport nautical where I will work in the coming days. Still at the airport a sergeant appears to me:
- Hello, Fernando! Welcome to Manaus! I'm Sergeant Guilhermino. The commander of our base Manaus ordered me to escort her to the secret military port. You will have access to the new Brazilian navy vessel.
- Yes, Sergeant! Thank you!
We enter an army jeep and we're going to the port Navy is near there. I can’t hold my anxiety! After passing through the airport premises entered by a road from where I can see a football field floor bluish, exclusive of the military right there.
But soon, after we entered the left inside the jungle for a real off road dirt road and many branches hitting the windshield. Like any good reporter would do, I ask him:
- Sergeant, why are we getting this sting in the woods?
He smiles and says:
- No one knows that we have a navy port hidden under the trees at this location. Nothing to see here by satellite. It was built specifically to house the new Stealth Brazilian vessel, when it is on a secret mission in the Amazon.
Quickly we arrived at this secret location covered by the canopies of huge trees. Strange to see a dry port and small to house a military boat so important relevance!?!? I look around and I see nothing. No movement! No boat! No boat!
Nobody is live on site besides me, the sergeant and the sound of birds and monkeys hidden in the woods. I wonder again:
- Where is this boat, anyway? - I do not have more information available, Fernando! Just asked me to bring it up here! You must wait for the coming of the boat and crew. If you need me fire, give me a call (he said giving me a business card).
- Okay, sergeant! I'll wait.
The military goes back into his jeep, he makes the turn and part off the road. I stare at the vehicle away, which disappears into the woods. I look back to the port empty and I notice that the floor is dirt.
Up ahead there is a small branch of the river. The environment of the port, badly constructed, it is kind of dark in the huge Amazonian trees. I do not understand how a boat could get there in the dirt floor.
Suddenly I hear a noise of something moving in the water nearby. It is a gentle and pure sound which comes from a small whirlpool formed in the waters nearby I weird thing and I approach the site slowly. As in a dream I see a beautiful woman yellowish and shiny that emerges slowly from the dark waters.
I don’t believe what I'm seeing such a thing! It seems an illusion! Inconceivable! My journalistic curiosity makes me closer to the site. A beautiful woman, to my astonishment, then puts out water their huge wings too yellowish! She flaps its wings like a dragonfly frantically, trying to escape the liquid environment.
The strong sound of powerful feathers hitting the surface of the river baffles me with the fact. What is that, I think? What is happening? The woman is revealed in full when you can soar It hangs right there showing that it was... I think..., a winged mermaid! The upper half is of a naked woman and half with fish tail. Moreover, the strange and beautiful thing has angel wings!
She winks at me and smiles beautifully. I distinctly hear the gentle sound of her laughter light under the strong wing beats. Now it flies at high speed and zigzagging away from me, penetrating the thicket of the forest in the background. An incredible sight!
Still stunned I see a sliding door opening in midair. Below it many rectangles on each other, articulate, rotating outward, thus forming an access ladder.
The invisible boat now begins to unfold slowly before my eyes, exactly where I had seen the apparition of the "woman-angel mermaid bright yellow". The image of the forest in the background fades softly, and now comes through, and before me, the huge Brazilian invisible boat.
It is exactly like what I had seen in the secret base in Brasilia, but it seems a little I give an involuntary step back, because of the size scare that took. I do not know what impresses me most at the moment. It seems that I was abducted by the ET and I am experiencing a strange fictional story impossible!
A sailor appears that door, nods and invites me to come with a gesture. - Welcome to my private television studio! - What? Studio? (I respond to it while still I climb the stairs) - Yes! Or do you really think you saw an angel in mermaid form, flirting with you just now?
- So... that was... I mean... was an image? But it felt so real... the sound of the wings, the water... her smile!
- The idea is exactly that! All this serves to camouflage and vessel fool all the people who are outside. This boat is the largest screen high definition TV in the world! (he says, speaking lower, because now I'm getting closer to finding him).
- I'm really impressed! (I, Fernando, declare). I almost believed it was all true, it was not the exaggeration of a mermaid angel bright yellow flying, I might have been completely wrong.
- You were wrong, my friend! I saw your face in astonishment and perplexity in close-up here inside the boat! I even thought you were getting interested in my digital friend!
Now I get to the top of the stairs and I can officially greet the sailor. I squeeze his hand.
- Hello, I'm the Cape Sabino! You will be my guest for the next few days.
- Hello, Sabino! I'm Fernando, the reporter hired by the Navy for secret missions. I'm here to write about the real part of all this fiction! How did you manage to do all this? It is very impressive!
- It's true! There is no denying that we work well on this little beauty, is not it? - Tell me something, Sabino! If the outer walls of this boat are television screens, so the boat is not shielded?
- Yes it is! We created a new polymer..., a type of plastic that covers all these Led screens. Besides being resistant to bullets, it is not reflective, or better, if someone throw a light, we do not shine as in the bodywork of a car. If you look with a magnifying glass you will see that this surface inside this polymer there are two distinct lines of leds. A line is facing up and produces images to deceive planes, helicopters and satellites. The other line is directed towards the horizon where we produce images to deceive people's vision on the banks of rivers or other vessels.
- Awesome! - Absolutely! Come on in, Fernando! We will have much to talk about during the long trip back and forth. You first! (Sabino invites me away from a bit of input to facilitate my access).
- Sabino, I noticed that the boat is propped outside, partially on the sandbar! How do we do now to get out of here? - This boat is also hovercraft! - Hovercraft?!?!
- Yes! Hovercraft is a vehicle that throws air down the hull. A rubber, available all around and under all this structure leds, keeps the trapped air blown there. This raises the boat, causing it to float, so getting rid of jamming on land or in shallow water.
- Incredible! (I declare).
Now close up the stairs again, articulating back when fit perfectly on the external structure of the boat tilted. The door also closes and everything is hidden just before the vessel back to stay invisible, making it impossible for anyone to see us standing here.
Once inside, the environment or resembles a military boat. What I see are more monitors HDTV distributed by walls. The narrow access corridor gives me the impression of being inside a submarine. We arrived shortly after the first room to work:
- This is the control room and service where I and my colleague there'll be most of the time during this mission (comments Sabino). I specialize in robotics and electronics and Cape Everardo is an expert in mechanics and nanomechanics (Sabino points to his colleague who has his back to us, analyzing a video monitor when I get to site).
The Cape Everardo rises from his comfortable chair and comes to me to greet me.
- Hello, Fernando! I'm Everardo Cape! Welcome aboard! We are aware of his mission and we will endeavor to make your stay here as pleasant as possible.
- If your friend mermaid-angel was on board, I'm sure the trip would be even more pleasant (I comment).
All smile at the joke I made. Now Sabino invites me to climb a ladder, right there, available in-room work them.
It is a vertical ladder aluminum fixed floor and ceiling of the vessel, where a small opening gives access to the upper floor.
Up here there is a battle station, where nobody is. The cable Sabino me presents installations:
- This is the armory. As you see, we're right in the center of this huge site. The weapons are triggered automatically by the artificial intelligence of the boat or who are in the military secret base in Brasilia, through their avatars in here.
Here I see some industrial robots with multiple arms along the inner side of the vessel. I am amazed that! Sabino realizes and tells me:
- There beside a few robotic workstations for maintenance of various equipment of the boat. These other robotic arms feed the weapons of war during a mission. During the action never missing bullets. We have a large inventory right here on this site. This vibrating table organizes the placement of bullets in the same direction.
I look at one of the containers where tiny bullets are stored. They are simple metal objects which do not resemble normal ballistic missiles. Even the cannons appear to be conventional.
- Sabino! I'm wondering these bullets! They are way different!
- Yes, Fernando! No explosive material in them. Are compact metallic objects that are thrown at high speed by a magnetic cannon. We can vary the speed of the projectile to just kill someone long distance or accelerate this piece of iron in the same terminal velocity that a meteor falls to Earth. The acceleration is so great that this stuff like a huge bomb explodes when it hits a target! The destruction is unbelievable! We can create a small earthquake on site or devastate an entire neighborhood only with the impact of a few of these projectiles.
- Scary! (I declare to the Cape).
- We managed to compress fairly new concept this cannon. This allowed us to reduce the size of the vessel. With the aid of the robotic arms and the small size of the projectiles we have a firepower inconceivable to our enemies. We can keep a war for a month continuous shooting nonstop day and night.
- Have you thought about using solar, wind or other cleaner? - Yes! We try to use clean energy, but the need to be invisible became impossible to use this technology The uptake of wind and sun would be done externally, and to denounce this in radar and in the eyes of our enemies We there beside another cannon! It works by using electromagnetic pulses! When we pointed this little beauty toward another boat, we fry all micro-chips the enemy. This forces the vehicle to stop for a long review. We have all the same arms facing the other side of the boat. So you can navigate between two enemy ships and shoot both at the same time making them believe that one is throwing in another. At the stern* and the bow** of the boat no conventional guns to shoot at targets closer during our shift.
I notice a few more closed doors nearby, which I imagine are cabinets. Also notice the huge room with nothing in place. During this trip, you will discover that empty space are two strange invisible robots, about which I will be informed later. There were also four bikes parked there in the corner.
- Motorcycles?!?! In a boat? (I inquire). - Sometimes we need a small and fast shipping for missions ashore. - Missions on earth?? - Yes! To buy food, when it ends, for example! (So he says jokingly). They are here only if one of us eventually we need a fast transport on land. We descended back to the workroom of two soldiers, the same vertical ladder. There were over a ladder on the other side of this room with access to the downstairs, but I was introduced to her at that moment. We left the environment and continue walking down the aisle to the back of the boat.
- This here is our refectory! (the Cape Sabino show me). We have water that is withdrawn and purified directly from the aquatic environment where we are. Therefore, we are not limited by the lack of it. However the food is only available for the days that lead this mission. After that we will have to fish if we want to eat anything else. At the end of the kitchen, at the back there are the bedrooms, bathroom and shower with river water also. As the boat is designed to sail without a crew, we need to be careful with water consumption. The production is continuous, but is limited to four people. If each bath is too long we will not have water to drink for a few hours until the stock is replenished. So the computer controls the timing of water in each bath. Everyone is entitled to a specific amount. After that the bath is over, even if you are soapy. So be careful. Under this floor are all the engine room. The huge electric motors boat can take us for years in various missions without that we need to stop.
- The motors are electric? (I wonder). - Yes! Are quieter, do not heat up as much and leave to thermal cameras hidden enemy. - I understand!
Now we walk in the opposite direction of the corridor, crossed the room that I have already been presented and came to the front of the boat.
- Here we have the cockpit and navigation. This is where everything happens: Drive images of illusion, invisibility cloaking, arms control, satellite imagery, thermal imaging cameras, tactical and mission control. If you like action this is where you should sit and enjoy the view. In this incredible environment I'm scared! I can personally see the avatars on which the center personnel said. They are huge beings of metal controlled by the military secret base in Brasilia. They have four cameras on their heads, horizontally positioned ninety degrees from each other, so they can look in all directions around. And so they do not need much movement neck. The strong body resembles a robot that takes anabolic! Filled with artificial muscles, the powerful beings seem ready for a fight hand-to-hand! They resemble a humanoid with some details like feet and hands that work very similar to us. Unexpectedly, all five avatars greet me. The voices of the soldiers who met in Brasilia in central command, leaving the interior of the robotic head.
- Hello, Fernando (comment on all of them together). - Welcome to mission ghost that will begin in five minutes (says Major Margarida). Relax and enjoy! Hopefully it will be a long mission, but very quiet.
- Ahh! Yes! Thank you, gentlemen and lady. The image of their avatars and interior of this boat is amazing! I am appalled at the size of this endeavor!
- I'll leave you at home here! (Sabino said the Cape coming out of the cockpit). Fernando, if you need me I will be circulating throughout the vehicle. I have a lot to check and test during the early hours of this mission.
- Thank you for Sabino quick tour! (I, Fernando, comment on it).
Now the Cape salutes for avatars that release:
- Stay at ease, Cape! (declaring the Major Margarida). This scene is funny and at the same time ridiculous. Why would someone do that to machines? Of course I know that the avatars are controlled by actual military and are superior to Cape. But seeing it happen here ... live ... something seemed purposeless. The technology affords strange changes in human behavior!
- Where is the avatar of the commander? (I wonder Maj. Margarida). - I am here, Fernando! (replied the commander, as I look around in search of the source of the voice).
- I do not need an avatar. Only I command the operation, while my team makes it possible for all the action happens. Therefore, you only hear my voice through the speakers of the vessel.
- Right! (I declare awkwardly). Commander! Who designed the system invisibility of this boat?
The military answer my question, as I realize that his voice actually comes from the sound system inside the boat.
- The whole concept came from a study of two university graduation. And you just know both personally inside this vessel. - Sabino and Everardo? - Exactly. - They seemed very excited with all this technology here.
- It's true! They are the most dedicated of the entire team. Sometimes we need to repeat the order that they are exempt. They do not want to stop working! After all, we gave them total freedom to create and develop the project invisible boat (says the commander).
Now Severo back to your group and military ends my visit, initiating official Phantom Mission:
- Okay, people! I want to thank in advance the work of all of you! This will be our first official mission with the boat invisible. I'm sure the end result of the first mission ghost will be a success! I say this based on all the planning studied in detail, testing and dedication of each member of our small team, since no one from outside could work directly in the manufacture of this vessel. The first of many for the elimination of the market instead of drug trafficking on the continent. Traffickers and guerrillas learn to fear the ghost will curse all those who meddle with the production and sale of drugs in South America. I need the dedication of every member of this crew, not only to safeguard the lives of our three men on board, but also to restore peace and sovereignty in the triple border of Brazil, which is the focus of this mission! I know you will make the best of you, because we need this better! This first mission will determine whether our notions of work and technical decisions were the most appropriate approaches to be used going forward. Possible changes and new schedules officers may be produced for the next mission we need not send anyone else on board. Come on guys! The country calls us to struggle to put an end to drug trafficking and guerrillas on this continent! For Brazil, for our children and for peace in the streets! (Shouts the captain at the end of his short speech).
- For Brazil, for our children and for peace in the streets! (Scream all the team).
I find that much more than a project naval warfare, this is a unique moment where they join military, along with the government, to put a definitive end to the drug cartels and producers of prohibited plants.
It's something magical and moves me. I know I'm participating in something special This is a unique moment in history, in which very few professionals and money are being used in order to make the lives of people in cities and the countryside safer, quieter, more dignified.
No drugs will remain only the riots and assaults to be fought, because everything else has always been, in one way or another, financed by the sale of marijuana, crack, cocaine and other useless products!
With the difficulty of production and trafficking, users simply will not pay more for a product so expensive. Human life is about to change from that moment. But for this first mission-ghost should work!
- Soldier Ricardo! What the satellite navy says the closeness of humans? - Nothing, Commander! There is no one up to two miles away from us! (Replied the soldier Ricardo). - Major! Operate the system hovercraft to get out of this port (commander orders the officer and pilot Margarida).
Once the depth of this stretch of river permits, we will use the propulsion plant. We do not want to be seen in the most populous region of the Amazon (the commander talks about the city of Manaus).
- Yes, sir! Hovercraft system powered (she says). - Soldier Carlos! Keep from now on invisibility always triggered until I do order anything different! (ordering the commander). - Invisibility is activated, sir! (Carlos tells). - Soldier Ricardo! I want a full scan of the entire region within ten kilometers. Let's go as far as possible of all vessels and also must stay as far away as possible from the banks! I do not want a parallax error denounces our position to anyone! - Activating the Program 1 navigation in rivers, sir! (Ricardo responds).
*The stern of a boat is the back of it. So there outboards. They get back in the boats.
**The bow of a boat is in front of him. Normally where is the cockpit.
On the navigation screen comes the Solimões River and several bright spots that indicate the position of the various vessels in the region. A digital line is drawn so that the boat can stay invisible as far as possible from the looks of the outside world. The Major crashes the program on your screen and press the autopilot begins to slowly follow the route traced by computer.
- Soldier John! Do your job! Use surveillance cameras outside! If one looks more sharply toward us correct parallax, hitting image positioning to avoid being discovered.
- Yes, sir! So (John responds).
Soldier Carlos! The Major will tell you the right time to trigger visual programs required. Stay tuned! - Yes, sir! I'm ready! (Carlos responds).
- Lieutenant Julius keep a lookout for any eventuality (Severus orders). I do not believe we need so early in our arms, but we can not be caught by surprise by anyone. Surprise is our greatest weapon, and it can’t be our weakness on a mission!
- Yes, sir! (Julius responds). - Capes Everardo and Sabino! Do check-ups in their fields every hour, as arranged for the beginning of this first trip. - Yes, sir! We are aware! (Sabino responds on behalf of the two that are together in the maintenance room).
- Journalist Fernando! Tell the story that begins now! (ordering the commander). Or we will all be remembered as heroes in the future or just as a small group who thought he could change the world!
- Yes, sir! Stay cool! I will just say that I come here! (I reply, Fernando).
- Major! I want to speed so we space available for it (the commander orders). We will advance our schedule. It is better to stay waiting in ambush for the few days that we're late to the sites of attack.
- Yes, sir! (Margarida confirms).
- Well, Fernando! Now it's up to you! If you have any questions please see any member of our staff present. But always remember that your role here is primarily an observer! Therefore, be very careful not to deviate too far from my personal attention on the most critical moments of this mission. During our work we do not need to release the audio of our conversation on board. Yet we keep it available inside the boat while you are awake, so that each of you may know all that is happening.
- Thank you, sir! I'll keep things a bit here and then will visit Sabino and Everardo!
Now I, Fernando, can better observe the avatars produced in metal and plastic. I approach them and notice the details of how they were made. Squat down beside Avatar piloting the boat and notice the operation of small electric motors and hydraulic and pneumatic mini-pistons that amazing body! It is a technological marvel.
Each time a military clicks a button there in the control center in Brasilia, the body responds avatar here on the boat, repeating the same movement. Actually this is the concept of avatar. The Major Margarida, through their cameras installed in the head of the artificial avatar, realize my keen eye for detail artificial body and she says to me:
- Fernando! I could file a complaint for attempted sexual assault, both of which look at me!
- Hi..? What...? No..! Please...! (I comment awkwardly). I'm just watching the wonderful body of the avatar under your control. I did not mean to be rude!
- Relax, journalist! I'm just messing with you! [Laughs…] (She says).
- I did not know that robotics had reached a level of technology so advanced! (Comment on me). The functioning of the hands and arms is extremely accurate! Gestures are incredibly similar to the gestures of humans! I'm feeling an alien spacecraft! It's even kinda scary!
- I felt something similar when I was also on board the first time! (Major Margarida says). But now, using these virtual reality glasses, mixing real images with computer graphics, I feel as if I had an incredible power in my hands! Looks like a video game extremely sophisticated and that can kill many people if I do something wrong. It's exciting and scary at the same time!
- I wonder how can this be! (Comment on me, finalizing the detailed observations on the body of the avatar, while I rise again, standing). Major! How can we be sure that our invisibility is working?
- The computer is sampling the external LEDs in place to confirm that they are showing exactly what should show! (Says the Major). After doing thousands of simultaneous tests have confirmed that everything is as it should be. But if you want to see with your own eyes can show the external view for you.
- Yes! I like that very much! (I reply).
The Major, there in central Brasilia looks directly at John and the soldier gives the order:
- Voyeur! Liberate our artificial insect invisible for a spin around the vessel.
The soldier John the voyeur, smiles, back at major central to Margarida, and presses a button on the front panel. Quickly a small door opens laterally sliding inside the outer structure on top of the boat invisible. That place she flies off a type of plastic invisible huge Dragonfly.
She is very proportional to the size of the real insect. The camera shows the location where the insect out. I realize that nothing can be seen below on the river water. We are actually invisible to anyone who look at us. The only thing I notice is a small movement of waves generated by the displacement of the boat invisible and slightly different reflection in the water.
- Incredible, Major! How can you move so well disguised mat* water?
- We have four types of marine propulsion, Fernando. Are two outboard motors for greater speed. We have the system hovercraft to float like an air mattress. We have two rocket propulsion, which have not been adequately tested. And this is the room that the motor system plays a central water back and slightly down. This helps to hide the wake behind the boat and is the sole means of propulsion that we use, if we want to hide! This helps to hide the wake behind the boat and is the sole means of propulsion should we use if we want to hide! Already at high speed is not possible to hide the wake of water!
- I understand! You are always surprising me here! - This will be the main function of the boat invisible: surprise our adversaries and partners. - And this artificial flying insect?!?! What is it?!?!
- Exactly what you said: an insect artificial flying with a camera on the front and one aft. He has a supersensitive microphone, which helps us to hear what people are talking, if they are up to fifty feet away! This little robot also has an internal GPS system and a laser measuring distances, and hence be controlled by us, by artificial intelligence or internal programming.
Now the computer is in the boat to pronounce the first time with female voice and smooth:
- Completion of Program 1 in thirty seconds. Enter a new program or directs the vessel in manual mode. The Major picks up again on the joystick navigation control, preparing to sail in manual mode.
- Very well, gentlemen! Now we use the image of the small boat with outboard (Major and Margarida pilot states). Soldier Ricardo, there is any human look around us?
Ricardo observes signals from the satellite thermal cameras Brazilian military, dedicated exclusively to the phantom mission, and he responds:
- No, Major! There is no one within five miles away. You can make the image change in the outer hull of the vessel.
- Filmmaker! Image of small boat with an outboard motor in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... now! - Ready, major! (The soldier Carlos, the filmmaker, replied). Picture of boat with outboard available, awaiting drive our outboards.
The major triggers some buttons on your control panel and boat riding, collecting the central engine.
- Okay, gentlemen! (she ordered). Let's start making time here.
The girl drives with his left hand throttle, forcing it forward, similar to an airplane.
Outside the white mat water begins to form behind the invisible boat (stern) and the virtual image of the motor vessel tilts upward slightly, as it does such a vehicle when water speed.
For those looking out the result is stunning! I, Fernando, also observe what is happening through the camera Dragonfly artificial and I realize that the real and virtual systems integrate perfectly, deceiving anyone is near there.
- Collect aerial camera! (Major Margarida declares the soldier John, the voyeur).
- Gathering aerial camera (the soldier John informs).
The insect flies invisible air quickly to the top of the vessel invisible. High above the door opens again, sliding into the surface, which now puts the fake insect. The door closes and our boat begins to sail the waters of the Solimões River in speed. The virtual image projected on the outside of our boat, now transformed into a speedboat, shows two beautiful occupants bikinis with her hair fluttering in the wind while we moved. A beautiful illusion to trick unsuspecting more!
- Why is the image shows two women, one blonde and one brunette riding a speedboat? (I, Fernando, ask the filmmaker Carlos).
- We figured that no enemy shoot a motor boat up two beautiful women were riding it! (replied the soldier Carlos). - You thought of everything, is not it? (I comment). - We hope so, Fernando! - But what if someone shoot, anyway? (inquire him).
- Then we completed the program, pretending that the ship exploded and sank. Debris appear on the screen while the boat slowed invisible to the treadmill do not report it anymore. The enemy will believe that destroyed the boat himself, as he passed slowly on low speed with the propulsion plant. Never find any wreckage and within minutes we will be far away.
- Well ingenious plan! (I comment).
Henceforth the boat invisible walk a good time with the virtual image of two girls riding a fast motor boat, which appears on the screens inside too. The Solimões River is very large and we have a ways to go.
- I saw no window or porthole in the outer hull of the ship invisible. Am I mistaken?
- No, Fernando! (Replied the captain only in audio form for me). If there were windows, we could not I covered them with screen leds because that betray our presence. We have to fly this boat through video cameras, sensors, radars, satellite and GPS, as a submarine.
- So! We will only know if it's day or night looking at the images on the monitors and my watch? (I ask). - Yes! Exactly, Fernando! (Ends the commander).
I am very interested in everything that is happening. But I confess that I can not stand looking at the same picture of a boat sailing on the waters of the Solimões for hours!
Tired by the lack of news I resolve to visit Sabino and Everardo in their room.
- Guys! I'll look around and eat something (I comment I have coming out of the control room). I'd invite but avatars do not eat, right?
- [Laughs] Make yourself at home, Fernando! The food on board is all for you (says the commander).
On the way to the kitchen I cross the room Sabino and Everardo who are so busy doing check-ups, which is not seen me around. I resolve to continue down the hall until I find a small kitchen on board. Arriving on the scene I look at the refrigerator door where there is a message stuck in it: "Please eat first fruits which spoil quickly. Commander Severo."
I smile, because all the staff care about the smallest details of the mission. All this gives me great confidence that the outcome will be favorable to the ghost mission. I open the fridge and I get an apple to eat. On the wall next to me I see a cover where it’s written subtly: "seat". I grab the handle and the lid opens downward, becoming a bench seat beside the table.
But when I loose it closes again. Pull it down again and I backed it quickly, to ensure that this time I can sit there. It worked! In a high-tech vessel I am having problems with a simple bench seat! I feel kind of ridiculous at this point. But no one saw the scene! I look for a liquid crystal display on the wall in front of me and I see the image of the bow (bow is the back of the boat). The white mat moving on the calm surface of the Solimões River.
The interior of the boat is highly quiet and can not be heard there the sound of propellers, birds, monkeys or water moved by invisible vehicle. As calmly that apple among many distant thoughts. I look at my watch and realize that it was the time of shift change of military command room!
I quicken my pace to see for himself how such a thing will be done, which will take place in reality only there in Brasilia, the secret center of command. Observing the avatars I realize that nothing happens during the shift change. I hear the voices of all my acquaintances and also the new class that is coming.
The avatars are still in the same job position. They are sitting with arms on the panel, as they trigger the various controls. Everyone talked a lot and I realize the audio they are doing a quick status report on each of your own job to another military take over. I finish eating my apple and communication between them does not cease. I notice that discuss technical details and talk about the programs that have used up there, both external and visual navigation programs.
Then I discovered that during the shift change, the AI takes over momentarily controls the avatars, released by the military. To formalize the exchange of young professionals turn reassume all again. An incredible teamwork between men, women and intelligent machines.
It seems to be a long trip for me and calm and quite hectic for all military. You can see the concern of everyone able to do an excellent job. This is the first major mission of those young and this vessel.
And I am responsible to show, with the highest possible fidelity, this incredible stage of human history unfolds here ... before my eyes! I am thrilled at this point, that will become memorable from my point of view. Many changes of shift will happen during the trip, but this first is striking and revealing.
Several minutes pass and no one notices my discreet presence back there. I realize that the group that came to take leave. It seemed that they expect to see if everything run normally.
And everything goes really smoothly. When the first team goes all though, the commander, who was still at that time Severus, I introduced the staff who took the posts. There are many names for decorating. Faceless names, because I'm only on the avatars and I can hear the voices of soldiers who take their posts. Night falls and nothing new happens out there. Only small boats passing in the distance, indigenous groups by the river, barges noisy tourists that pass by us and fishermen in small boats or rafts to paddle. None of them seem to notice us as we pass. We are ghosts floating upstream in search of the origin of the problems of drugs, which spread very similar for all the great cities of the world today. We cut the root of all these evils. Strangling world trade in marijuana, cocaine and crack.
Surely prices will rise in the streets or their producers will change the continent, if they want to continue planting. We are big enough to give this crap that plagues thousands of families around the world. Time passes too calm and, and late at night, I decided to sleep to face the next day on the water.
Displace me to the place they call the dormitory. When I lie down, I feel like a sardine in a tin closed. All very tight and with little comfort available. Perhaps an avatar would be happy to take a nap there, but a journalist, not! The other two soldiers on board, The Capes Everardo and Sabino, remain tireless in their work.
I barely saw this day, nor could talk to them too! Among new thoughts and musings about how I will mount my video documentary and writing about what I have seen here, I end up sleeping. A deep sleep, because the smooth movement of the vessel, becomes an invitation to relax.
* Mat, in naval parlance, is the white trail on the surface of the water that gets behind a boat, therefore, in the stern of the boat, immediately after the propulsion system, whether the propeller or jet.
