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scientific research doesn’t rule out God either,” Lila added.
    Then Mobutu jumped in, and he was angry. “People, you were not hired to discuss religion! You were hired to explain why this stone is here and to find a way to remove it!”
    â€œWe have to consider all theories,” Dr. Cooper informed him.
    â€œSo let’s get on with the scientific research,” said Dr. Henderson, really dwelling on the word scientific to rub it in.
    â€œWell, okay.” Jay was ready with another possibility. “If this thing really is man-made, then it has to serve some purpose. I’ll bet there are rooms and passages inside, maybe burial chambers like in the pyramids. If we can get inside those rooms, that would tell us something.”
    â€œThe seismic equipment will tell us if there are any cavities inside,” said Dr. Cooper.
    Dr. Henderson sighed in frustration. “In order to use it, we’ll have to get on top.”
    They all looked at the vertical, featureless, red wall before them. Climbing was out of the question.
    â€œMr. Mobutu,” said Dr. Cooper, “what’s the latest on that airplane?”

FOUR
    A t Nkromo International Airport the next day, Mobutu introduced the Coopers and Dr. Henderson to a single-engine, high-winged Cessna, apparently one of Idi Nkromo’s private fleet of aircraft. It was big enough to haul four people and a limited amount of gear. Mr. Mobutu, already afraid of the Stone, was even more afraid of flying, so he kindly offered to stay behind.
    Jay and Lila climbed into the backseat and fastened their seat belts. Dr. Cooper took the pilot’s seat up front, and Dr. Henderson sat in the seat to his right.
    Mobutu came up to the pilot’s window and stuck his hand through. “May God grant you a safe journey,” he said quietly.
    Dr. Cooper smiled, gripping Mobutu’s hand. “See you soon.”
    Within minutes, they were flying over the desert and toward the Stone. From the air it was as big as a mountain, and still higher than they were.
    Dr. Cooper was watching the altimeter. “All right, Jay, now we’ll find out how close your calculations were. We’re climbing through five thousand right now. If you’re right, another five or six thousand should put us over the top of that thing.”
    Soon the Stone filled their vision, rising above the flat desert like an out-of-place, rectangular skyscraper. Dr. Cooper made a slow left turn so they could circle around the south end. The airplane had climbed to nine thousand feet, and they were still below the Stone’s summit.
    â€œTake a look at that,” said Dr. Cooper, pointing below. “Rugged cliffs at either end of the Stone make it almost impossible to travel around, and the only road through the desert goes right under it!Half of Nkromo’s country is on the other side!”
    â€œBeyond his reach,” said Dr. Henderson.
    â€œExactly. If he can’t reach that part of the country he can’t control the people who live there. No wonder he’s so upset!”
    The plane continued climbing as it headed south. At nine thousand and eight hundred feet, everyone looked out the right side. Since the desert floor was about 1,500 feet above sea level, they had to be within a thousand feet of the Stone’s estimated altitude; soon they would see the top.
    Ten thousand feet. The Stone still looked perfectly flat. Then the plane rounded the far southern corner and for the first time they could see another side.
    â€œIncredible!” Dr. Henderson exclaimed.
    Jay and Lila were both leaning close to the window on the right, staring in wonder at the Stone’s south-facing surface. It too was perfectly flat, perfectly smooth. It met the eastern surface at a precise, ninety-degree angle.
    â€œIt’s shaped just like a big box!” Jay exclaimed, snapping some pictures.
    Ten thousand, nine hundred. They could see the top.
    â€œThis is