by TJ Viola
Crystal took a close look. “I know how to work these old things.”
She added wood, adjusted the flue to supply sufficient airflow to sustain the fire, and proceeded to cook a delicious meal. After dinner, Rolo and Bounce played a competitive game of two-dimensional chess and later went up the stairs to the loft, hand in hand. This made the parents a little nervous, but they decided not to say anything.
The next morning, Danny’s mom got up early to enjoy the sunrise. She was looking out the great room window when she shouted. “Oh, my God! Phil!”
Phil came running from the bedroom. “What’s the matter?”
“They’re skinny-dipping! Just look, they’re skinny-dipping!”
“Well, I’ll be dammed,” Phil said.
“Don’t just stand there. Do something!” Althea shouted.
“What can I do? She’s not my child, and besides, they’ll soon be back for breakfast and we can talk to them then.”
Danny’s mom looked at her husband incredulously, then stormed off to the kitchen to start breakfast, while Phil turned away from the window with a slight smile and lit a cigarette.
Rolo and Bounce were having such a great time diving off a wooden platform anchored twenty feet from shore that other children came to join them. Soon more than twenty children of all ages were stripping off their clothes and diving into the lake. Parents were also rushing out. Some were horrified and desperately trying to get their children under control, while others were laughing, remembering their younger days.
After a few minutes the parents gained the upper hand and once again Rolo and Bounce were alone in the water. They decided they’d better get back in time for breakfast. They came running into the cabin, excited and invigorated.
“Good morning,” they both shouted as they ran through the door.
Danny’s dad met them. “Your mother wants to see you and Crystal.”
“Hi, Mom, what’s up?”
“What’s up? What’s up? Don’t you know better than to run around naked? And you, Crystal, I’m shocked! What would your mother say?”
“What’s the problem?” Danny asked with a look of dismay. “We just went for a swim, and many other kids were swimming with us.
“Talk to your father if you don’t know the problem, and from now on, Crystal, you will sleep with me and Dad will sleep in the loft.”
Rolo and Bounce looked at each other in bewilderment and walked out to talk to the dad. Crazy Earthlings, they thought.
Chapter 17
Road Map to Defend Earth
D anny and Crystal committed to do everything possible to defeat the Ammagans, but expressed again their lack of confidence. Zeiss and Yolan acknowledged their apprehension and worked with them to develop the essential elements for success. Together they examined the computer archives of the 2060 invasion in meticulous detail, and, after many hours of exhaustive and emotional work, they reviewed their list of actions to be accomplished:
All nations on Earth needed to recognize that an alien threat from outer space existed, and that a unified defense was crucial to protect Earth.
In order for Earthlings to develop the ability to fight in deep space, significant advances in space travel were required.
Earth needed to develop some type of defense against the Ammagans’ radiation rays.
It would be necessary for Danny to be recognized as a child prodigy by the international scientific community.
It was essential to determine how the Ammagans planned the 2060 invasion without Earth’s detection.
Inventing the “Gaser” before the Ammagan invasion would significantly increase the odds of Earth’s success.
Seeing a list of critical objectives gave Danny and Crystal a sense of direction, but not the ability to develop a detailed plan of action.
*****
Zeiss and his team agreed that the technologies required to fight the Ammagans in deep space would take the longest to develop, and that the first step would be for Earth to discover cold fusion as a source of unlimited energy for propulsion and the maneuverability required to match or exceed that of the Ammagan crafts.
Once Danny and Crystal discovered the needed technology, cold fusion would be simple to demonstrate since the required apparatus was relatively easy to construct, and it would certainly give Danny and Crystal immediate recognition as scientific geniuses. Another advantage was that thousands of scientists all around the world had been trying to demonstrate cold fusion since 1989, when the concept was first introduced. Unfortunately, the Earthling scientists who first announced cold fusion had been discredited because their results were never reproduced or adequately explained by nuclear or quantum physics. However, since so many scientists had tried in the past to duplicate their results, the technology was certain to advance rapidly once the concept was proven repeatable by Danny.
The next morning at the Earth base, the Zeiss android laid out a proposal to Danny and Crystal.
“My team agrees with the list of actions we outlined and recommends that you and Crystal first focus on inventing cold fusion technology, which will establish you as child prodigies and, at the same time, develop an essential element needed for a spacecraft.”
“If that was remotely possible, I would agree,” Danny said. “But the reality is other than my telepathic ability we are normal children.”
“That is about to change over the next few days before you return to your parents,” Zeiss responded.
“In that case, Zeiss, we might be in luck. Our school has a science fair at the end of the year and we could submit cold fusion as our project.”
All agreed, cold fusion would be the foundation for Danny and Crystal to build upon as they began their journey to implement the road map to ultimate victory over the Ammagans.
During Danny and Crystal’s remaining time at the base, Zeiss and Yolan used the facilities available to them to enhance the Earthlings’ mental and physical attributes. The first phase of their training began by expanding their brain capacity, enabling them to increase their learning capabilities. Danny and Crystal eagerly entered the two capacity-enhancer stations that were designed for sleeping, since the process took eight to ten hours to complete. The system put them into a deep hypnotic state and then systematically applied electrical impulses over a wide frequency spectrum designed to stimulate all areas of the brain in minute cross sections until the entire brain had been treated. Due to Danny’s biofeedback training and his unique brain structure, Zeiss expected his brain utilization to increase from 10 percent, which was the average for Earthlings, to that of a typical Grillion, 95 percent. On the other hand, Crystal, who already had an above-average intelligence quotient, would at best achieve 50 percent, since a higher percentage required that she be capable of interacting telepathically. The new capacity-enhancer models currently in use on Grillion would be capable of enhancing Crystal’s brain to the same level as Danny’s, but unfortunately, Zeiss and Yolan had to work with the older equipment that was available at the base.
The next morning, Danny used the learning center, but only for an hour, since serious side effects were possible if his mind were not properly conditioned to receive telepathic information at such high data rates. The following day he received four hours, followed by an additional eight just prior to leaving. During these sessions, he received in-depth knowledge of numerous topics, including electrochemistry, quantum physics, and nuclear physics, in preparation for his cold fusion experimentation. Crystal was unable to use the learning center since she wasn’t capable of telepathic learning; however, her IQ had significantly increased due to using the brain capacity enhancer, enabling her to increase knowledge through conventional means two to three times faster than normal.
They also went through additional physical analyses and enhancement treatments designed to understand their probability for acquiring debilitating illnesses, such as cancer, and to speed up their natural maturation process, which would make them appear three to four years old
er than their chronological age. The physical changes would occur over a period of twelve months, and since they would simply experience an acceleration of their natural physical development, these changes were not considered physical alteration that could potentially have a dramatic, negative effect on future events. Zeiss believed this would enhance their ability to influence Earth’s scientific community, since they would appear older and more mature.
In addition to the mental training, physical analyses, and physical enhancements, they both went through intensive martial arts training, utilizing their improved mind-body control and, in the case of Danny, his ability to manage his aura energy field. Due to their different ability levels, they received private lessons from the two remaining androids that assumed the physical forms of Titch and Eros.
Titch teamed up with Danny and focused his lessons on how to use his natural aura energy to perform seemingly impossible physical feats. He mastered the ability to leverage the force of his aura to complement his own physical strength. For example, he was able to jump higher by simultaneously pushing his aura energy down while pushing up with his physical muscles, thereby increasing his leaping ability ten to twenty times. Titch also demonstrated how combining his new mental abilities with the sensitivity of his aura field would enable him to view objects in extreme slow motion, which physically translated into the ability to move at incredible speeds. Once Danny mastered these techniques, Titch taught him various forms of advanced martial arts. She felt comfortable that the combination of these new skills would enable Danny to protect himself from any possible physical harm.
Eros worked with Crystal to help her develop awareness of her energy centers and personal aura. She would never progress to the level achieved by Danny, since she couldn’t receive the benefits of telepathic learning, but awareness of these natural forces would certainly enhance her health and well-being.
*****
Titch and Eros enjoyed working directly with Danny and Crystal through the androids, because the response time to their thoughts was so instantaneous their minds responded as if they were physically present. Due to the long hours of training, a natural bond developed, and Danny and Crystal began to view Titch and Eros as friends.
Zeiss, Yolan, and even Mylo were pleased with the progress being made. In two days, Danny and Crystal would rejoin his parents and begin to change the future.
Titch burst their optimism when she reported the results of the physical analyses performed on both Earthlings.
“The electromagnetic thermal resonance scanner indicated that both children are in excellent health; however, the genome sequencer revealed that Danny has a gene that makes him susceptible to multiple sclerosis.”
“There is nothing in Danny’s medical records that would indicate he suffered any serious illness,” Yolan responded.
“You’re forgetting that we’re not just changing his future, we have also enhanced his mental and physical abilities, which also impacted his genome. In the past he died at an early age, so there wouldn’t be any record of adult illnesses. We need him to survive for at least thirty more years.
Eros interjected even more disturbing data. “The Colorado-Wyoming area has one of the highest incidences of MS per capita of all the states. We ran a computer simulation that predicted the probability that Danny would exhibit this debilitating disease is one to five percent under normal developmental conditions, and increases to ten percent with the enhancement of his natural maturation process we performed. As a result, this gene could be activated and, in our opinion, presents an unacceptably high risk to the success of the project.”
“It is also our recommendation that we take the appropriate steps to isolate and deactivate this gene,” Titch concluded.
Zeiss reacted negatively to their proposal and to the entire situation.
“I believe everyone understands that we must minimize physical interference with the past. But just in case, let me reiterate, direct physical intervention increases the probability that the changes occurring in the past will negatively impact the future, our future! I don’t agree that the probability justifies further interference.”
Titch disagreed vigorously in public with Zeiss, in direct violation of Grillion’s social code of conduct. “Everything you’re saying is theoretical, while the data we have are real, and we believe the risk is unacceptable. Do I make myself clear?”
Rather than respond to her outburst, Zeiss dismissed them both. Titch left muttering to Eros, “Why would the Council put such an incompetent person in charge of this critical mission?”
This time Eros agreed and suggested that they find a way to turn off Danny’s gene using gene therapy, thereby eliminating the risk to his future health.
“It’s a gamble worth taking,” Eros argued. “To complete our mission, Danny must stay in good mental and physical health.”
“You’re right, Eros. Our job is to assure he remains healthy and that is exactly what we’re going to do! The fear that Zeiss has about changing the future in some horrendous fashion is pure speculation. Besides, aren’t we trying to change the future by stopping the Ammagans?”
They both agreed to take action, but in reality, they didn’t know how to perform gene therapy with the equipment in the Colorado base station. After several hours of brainstorming, Titch was getting frustrated with their lack of progress. Eros, however, reviewed the explicit and implied assumptions they were making and realized that at least one assumption wasn’t valid. He researched the computer archives for detailed information concerning all the equipment that was sent to Colorado during the construction of the base.
It turned out, time was on their side. As the Grillion civilization evolved, they no longer needed gene therapy, since they had socially engineered the perfect gene pool. However, the personal genome sequencer that was in the Colorado base was capable of performing more complex gene therapy by engineering transcription factors that would act on DNA to block protein production from a specific gene. The sequencer developed transcription factors from a blood sample and synthesized RNA molecules off a specific DNA template. The transcription factors could be delivered intravenously and would bind uniquely to DNA sequences associated with the defective gene, turning off its protein production, thereby making the targeted multiple sclerosis gene inactive.
“Eros, you never cease to amaze me. Just when I think you’re down for the count, you find a way to come back.”
“Thanks, but the question now is how do we activate the sequencer and perform gene therapy without Zeiss’s knowledge?”
After some deep thought, Titch came up with a plan.
“We’ll go back to Zeiss and insist upon running another genome sequence on Danny to determine if any other changes have occurred due to the acceleration of his maturation process. At the same time, in order to convince Zeiss that we agree with his decision, we’ll also recommend a yearly reading so we can update the risk analysis.”
“Only one problem: it doesn’t take long for the genome sequencing to complete the exam, whereas it takes much longer to engineer the transcription factors. If Danny remains longer than normal in the sequencer, Zeiss or Yolan will become suspicious.”
“Not a problem. I’ll run a full system calibration before Danny enters the system and synthesize the transcription factors from Danny’s previous blood sample during calibration.”
Having developed a plan that seemed flawless, they decided to release their pent-up energy with some heavy physical exercise, but this time, not in the fitness center. Eros was learning that agreeing with Titch was much more rewarding than disagreeing with her—reviewing the Earth base archives of Earthlings’ archaic behaviors had a stimulating effect on them both.
*****
Rolo and Bounce were having a great time on Danny and Crystal’s vacation, but the same could not be said for Danny’s parents.
“Phil, I’m getting concerned about the kids’ behavior. It’s almost as if I don’t know them anymore.”
“I certainly hope so. Skinny-dipping I can take; remember when we did it? Riding the hovercycles like daredevils, I can understand, but last night at dinner, now that was truly gross!”
“Gross? I thought it was hilarious, but I still don’t understand how they generated so much gas. At one point I thought they were playing a duet.”
“You’re just impossible. You think everything is funny, but I have been seeing a real change in Danny, and now Crystal.”
“Well, I think they’re great. Our son struggled for years in school and now he’s accelerating at an amazing rate. I see a kid who has always been shy suddenly having fun, and I see a new confidence that will serve him well over the years. I’m not concerned.”
Danny’s mom still wasn’t satisfied. Call it women’s intuition; she just had a feeling something unusual was taking place.
This was the last night in the cabin. Around noon the next day they were planning on pitching a tent at the campsite Danny and Crystal had located and spending one night closer to nature before heading back. Danny’s mom was hoping for a quiet evening, but all hope was lost when Danny came running in holding two very large, very dead rabbits.
“Mom, Dad, how about some rabbit stew?”
“Danny,” his mother yelled. “Get those poor animals out of my sight!”
“Oh, don’t worry, Mrs. O’Malley, I know how to cook jack rabbit stew. Dad does it all the time,” Crystal said.
“I thought your dad liked fishing. Is he also into hunting?” Phil asked.
“Sure,” Danny responded. “He showed us how to catch and clean rabbit.”
Danny’s mom refused to go into the kitchen, but after two hours the kids emerged with a delicious meal and all the trimmings. Now Danny’s dad was wondering what was going on.
The next day was full of excitement as they prepared to leave for the campsite. Everyone pitched in and they were on the road before noon, heading back to Deadman Road. Rolo navigated, since they were headed to “Yolan’s favorite place,” and after passing Red Feather Village, he indicated where to pull off the main road to safely park the car. Mrs. O’Malley wasn’t thrilled about having to backpack into the forest and leave their car behind, but she kept her thoughts to herself and was determined to have a good time. Her only consolation was that she had to bear just one more day of this nightmarish vacation. It took about an hour of hiking to get to their destination and when they arrived, both parents were extremely pleased.