You become aware of a rumbling noise from above. It sounds like distant thunder. You look up, but see no clouds or any other source for the noise. Yet it sounds like its coming closer. As the noise reaches its peak, you gasp as a white sphere suddenly seems to just pop into existence as it enters the roof. The sphere has a device on the back through which the beam of energy is running. There's a window on a hinged surface facing you. The sphere is about as big as a large car, seems plastic in nature, and is travelling straight down. You suddenly remember once reading about space elevators, and realize this must be one. You wonder where it comes from, and do not wonder long, for the elevator comes to rest on the bottom platform, and the hinged front opens with a gust of warm steam. You strain to see the shadowy form emerging...