FACT

The Voynich Manuscript is a very real document written in an unidentifiable language that dates from the Middle Ages.

FACT

Despite numerous attempts by code-breakers and computer decryption software, the manuscript’s code has yet to be broken.

FACT

The source of the Robin Hood legend remains a mystery.

FACT

The true identity of the Sheriff of Nottingham at the time of King Richard’s return from the crusades is uncertain.

2044, Chicago

‘So, ladies and gentlemen,’ said the man, ‘this is what you all came to see. In just a moment I’m going to step inside that Faraday cage and disappear.’

Right, so he IS just another fruitcake. Anna Lopez shook her head. That’s all I need.

Her eyes met one or two of the other members of the small audience, journalists like her. She recognized a few faces: a reporter who covered science and environment issues for one of the Euro News digi-stations; a science editor for a Stamford-based technology e-periodical. They’d all received the small vanilla-coloured invitation card last week with just a few words of explanation printed on it. An invitation to come down to a place called Larkham’s Gallery ‘to witness the demonstration of a technology that is going to change the lives of every man, woman and child on this troubled planet’.

Anna Lopez sighed. The world could sure do with a bit of good news.

Larkham’s Gallery sounded nice. Like a nice little boutique gallery where there’d hopefully be wine and nice little savoury things on silver trays being offered around. Instead they were sitting on three rows of uncomfortable plastic school chairs in a grim-looking warehouse with a fizzing strip light overhead and the echoing tap tap tap of rainwater dripping through somewhere.