Valhalla Rising (Dirk Pitt 16)

"What would its advantages be if used in internal combustion engines?"

"Theoretically, you could run an automobile engine two million miles or more before the internal workings required any repair," replied Thomas matter-of-facdy. "Heavy-duty diesel engines could conceivably operate efficientiy for ten million miles. Aircraft jet en-gines would especially benefit with longer life and less maintenance. The same for every industrial vehicle from forklifts to earthmovers."

"Not to mention boat and ship-propulsion units," added Pitt.

"Until new technology for energy is perfected that does not rely on moving parts," said Thomas, "our formula, which Elmore and I jokingly called Slick Sixty-six, will have enormous consequences for every mechanical power source that depends on oil for lubrication."

"How expensive is it to refine and produce?"

"Would you believe three cents a gallon more than normal motor oil?"

"I don't imagine the oil companies will be particularly happy about your discovery. They could very well lose billions of dollars, even trillions over twenty years. Unless, of course, they buy your formula and market it themselves."

Thomas shook his head slowly. "Never happen," he said decisively. "Elmore never intended to make a dime. He was going to give the formula to the world free of charge, no strings attached."

"From what you've said, the formula was half yours. Did you also agree to contribute it to the common good?"

Thomas uttered a quiet laugh. "I'm sixty-five years old, Mr. Pitt. I have diabetes, acute arthritis, an iron-overload disease called he-mochromatosis, and cancer of both the pancreas and liver. I'll be lucky to walk the earth five years from now. What would I do with a billion dollars?"

"Oh, Josh," Kelly said despondently. "You never said . . ."

He reached over and patted her hand. "Even your father had no inkling. I kept it from everyone until now, when it no longer matters." Thomas paused and picked up the wine bottle. "More wine, Mr. Pitt?"

"Not quite yet, thank you."

"Kelly?"

"Yes, please. After what you've told me, I could use some courage."

"I see you have heavy security," said Pitt.

"Yes," acknowledged Thomas. "Elmore and I have had our lives threatened many times. I was wounded in the leg after a thief attempted to break into the laboratory."

"Someone tried to steal your formula?"

"Not just someone, but an entire industrial conglomerate."

"Do you know who?"

"The same corporation that threw Elmore and me out the door after twenty-five years of dedicated work."

"You were both fired?"

"At the time, Dad and Josh were still working to perfect the oil formula," replied Kelly. "The company's directors prematurely began making future plans to produce Super Slick and sell it with the goal of gaining enormous profits."

"Elmore and I wouldn't hear of it," said Thomas. "We agreed that it was too vital for the human good to sell it only to those who could afford it. Foolishly, the directors thought their other chemists and engineers had enough data to produce it on their own, and they gave us our walking papers, threatening to sue us into the gutter if we attempted to complete the experiment on our own. Bodily harm and death were also veiled threats. But we went ahead anyway."

"Do you believe it was your old company who tried to kill you and steal the formula?" asked Pitt.

"Who else was aware of our work?" Thomas said, as if Pitt knew the answer. "Who else had the motive and stood to benefit? When they failed to find the key to our formula, their program became a disaster. Then they came after us."

"Who are they?"

"The Cerberus Corporation."

Pitt felt as if he had been hit over the head with a mallet. " 'The Cerberus Corporation,' " he echoed.

"You're familiar with it?" asked Thomas.