To Earth and Back

by William Boardman

  “What?” Merrick said, in a guardedly subdued voice.

  Ari gathered his thoughts but never got the first word out. The com-link on his wrist came to life showing a very grave-looking Jack Corban on the miniature display. “Jack, you okay?”

  Jack was brief and to the point. “Something’s come up. We have to talk.”

  Ari felt the urgency in Jack’s tone. “Be right up,” he said, glancing at Merrick with regret. “My friend, I’m afraid I’ve got to go. We’ll have to pick this up later.”

  “Sure, go...go.”

  Ari accompanied his friend to the central lift, where they parted company. Merrick headed down to the pilot’s quarters. Ari went up one level to the ops deck.

  Entering the work center, he tried to process what had happened. Jack was clearly disturbed. What could possibly be so troubling? he thought. And why would he need a doctor?

  Walking down the central corridor, he took the second right and passed several cubicles before arriving at his destination.

  Jack sat at his console, poring over a multitude of displays. Some showed live imagery of people on the surface, and some showed maps—others, a mix of diagrams and technical overlays.

  Startled at Ari’s quick arrival, Jack jerked around. A streak of color drew his attention to the floor at Ari’s feet. He motioned Ari to stop and then pointed down at the threshold. “Don’t trip!”

  Ari had been so preoccupied with Jack’s unorthodox summons that he failed to notice the nine-foot Boa constrictor blocking the entrance.

  ———————

  Eight years prior, on a zoological expedition to Southeast Asia, Dr. Neil Bradbury awoke in his jungle camp feeling as if someone had laid an accessory belt across his chest. When he opened his eyes, he found another pair staring back—those of a young Longicaudas Boa constrictor, long and slender, a magnificent shade of yellow with deep black markings. “Stretch” was soon adopted as the expedition mascot and eventually returned with the crew to the ship.

  At some point, Ryan Graves, senior ops officer, had taken a liking to the sleek reptile and established the novelty of allowing the serpent to roam freely on the ops deck. The creature’s striking beauty and mild manners quickly endeared him to the crew.

  ———————

  Stepping over Stretch, Ari said, “You didn’t look very happy on the com. What’s going on?”

  “Yeah...,” Jack said, on edge. “Look, we’ve become aware of a major military action about to kick off in the Middle East. Have you checked on Adie lately?”

  A twinge of adrenaline sent an unpleasant sensation through Ari’s abdomen. “No, not yet, I just came off a fairly long shift. Why?”

  “Looks like she’s going to be right in the middle of it.” Jack pointed to a map display of Israel where a single green dot glimmered on the northern border. “That’s Adie’s locator, and this red area just north of her position represents Syrian infantry and light armor. We’ve assessed their communications. They intend to attack Israel within the next twenty-four hours. Once they get rolling, Adie’s compound will almost surely be overrun.”

  Ari was stunned, nervous, and suppressing the need to shiver. “Good grief! How is this possible? I’ve had no indication. Everything in the compound has been business as usual.”

  “I wish we could have gotten this to you earlier,” Jack said with regret, “but we were monitoring other situations. It caught us off guard—just picked up on it a short time ago. I called you as soon as we were sure.”

  Ari was dumbfounded, unable to speak.

  “Look, I know how close you feel to Adie...I know. I wish I had some words of encouragement, but no matter how I spin this, the outcome is bleak.”

  Choking out the words, Ari said, “There’s got to be something we can do—something.”

  Jack felt Ari’s helplessness. “I just wish there were. I’ve run it around and around in my head and keep coming up empty. But if you should think of something, I’m here. I mean that.”

  Ari stared blankly at the displays. “Thanks, Jack,” he said, his brain adrift. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  He covered the distance to his quarters without recollection, coming to a stop in the middle of the corridor near his entrance—mind fogged—eyes fixed on the floor.

  Ryan Graves walked past. “Doc, you all right?”

  Ari momentarily snapped back to reality. “Yeah, yeah,” he said, moving close enough to his entrance biosensor to dismiss the barrier. He passed through the foyer into the living space, drawn to the large still-image display of Adie and her family. His gaze settled on a scene of Adie at the piano in the Berlin home. Her beautiful face was aglow in the late afternoon sun. A heavy sorrow settled in. “Oh, Adie—dear Adie—is there no answer—no hope?” he muttered to himself. “You’ve been through so much...and now this.” An almost imperceptible quiver began in his lower lip. “Dear Lord—there must be a way.” His eyes slowly filled and blurred as a number of scenarios began to roll through his mind. Some seemed plausible...others—not. He stood motionless for the best part of an hour, sifting through pieces of ideas. Slowly, the pieces took on the form of a plan. Before going on, he paused for a moment to pray.

  “Father, I feel desperate to act, but I don’t want to step outside Your will. You may have another plan—or maybe my plan is Your plan. If that’s the case, then I ask that You prepare my way before me. Time is so tight, I feel I should throw out a fleece. I don’t know what else to do…. So here it is. If You wish for me to move forward, then I pray You would keep Adie in the compound tomorrow, that she would not go with the others to town. May Your will be done.”

  He walked across the room and took a seat on the small couch facing the main display. “Zoey, let’s check on Adie.” The image came up immediately, showing Adie asleep in her quarters. Data streaming across the top of the image indicated 0300 hours local time. “Zoey, search the last twenty-four hours for the word ‘town,’ either spoken by Adie or to Adie.”

  The interface responded. “The word ‘town’ was used in three conversations.”

  “Replay the first event starting at the beginning of the dialog,” Ari said.

  The first scene showed Adie speaking with her friend Myra, apparently during a morning break. The two young women sat opposite each other, cross-legged on Adie’s bed.

  “So what was it that you and Joseph were discussing?” Adie asked. “It sure didn’t look like you were commenting on the weather. Is there something between you two?”

  Myra seemed embarrassed. “Actually, I think so. I hope so. He has such a great personality. I liked him the first time I saw him. Now...well, I have a crush on him. There! I said it.”

  Adie grinned. “Well, I’m happy for you,” she said with sincerity. “It’s good to see that romance can blossom, even in this out-of-the-way place.”

  Hearing discouragement in Adie’s voice, Myra said, “What about Simon? He’s a nice—”

  Adie lifted a hand in protest. “Let’s face it, there’s not a man in this camp who would take a one-eyed Christian for a wife.”

  “Adie, don’t say that! You have more good qualities than I can count. Aren’t you interested in being married? Don’t you want to have a family of your own?”

  “Of course I do, but I have to look at things realistically. Anyway, I won’t marry outside of my faith. So,” she smiled, “I guess I’m doomed to be an old maid.”

  Undeterred, Myra said, “Well, if you can’t find someone in the camp, why not try the town? There are a few Christians—”

  “Hey, you two!” yelled a comrade through the screen door. “It’s time to get back to work. The day’s moving on, and that garden needs attention.”

  Ari had Zoey run the second sequence, which also proved inconclusive.

  The third showed Adie, once again with Myra, in the vegetable garden at dusk.

  “Why don’t you come with us to town tomorrow?” Myra asked.

  Adie turned away. “I don�
�t think I’m ready to go back just yet,” she said with some discomfort. “Anyway, I promised to stay and help Martha prepare food.”

  “Just about everyone is going,” Myra said, “except for the guards, of course. Are you sure you won’t come along?”

  Adie smiled. “Maybe next time…. Thanks for asking, though.” She bent down and yanked at a rather large weed near her foot.

  Disappointed, Myra said, “I’m going to hold you to that.” She turned and headed for the washroom, yelling back over her shoulder to Adie. “Hey, I heard we’re having stuffed chicken on Saturday. If you’re helping the cook, tell her not to use baking soda in the gravy this time. I still haven’t gotten over that.”

  With that dialog, the die was cast. Ari shut down the display and bowed his head.

  “…Dear Lord, thank you for answering my prayer…. You knew before time began what would happen today. And You know that I can’t possibly hope to deliver Adie without You. If somehow I have misread Your will, then I pray You would reveal this to me, either by Your Spirit or through the turn of events. Otherwise, I feel compelled to act. Therefore, I pray that You would bless my plan and prepare my way before me. May every decision I make be in keeping with Your will. Soften the hearts of the senior council, good men and women all, that they might look favorably upon my request. Grant me success, I pray, for I ask it all in Your precious Name and for Your glory.”

  ———————

  Adie had been asleep nearly four hours. Quite often Ari adjusted his schedule to be present when she retired for the evening. It was her practice to read aloud one chapter of the Bible, followed by a prayer. Then Ari would follow with his own prayer and bid her good night, knowing she couldn’t hear a word. But this day had gone long, causing him to miss some very telling moments.

  —— Four Hours Earlier ——

  Adie sat on the edge of her bed staring at the floor. The hour was late. She felt weary and depressed. Dinner conversation had been unsettling—talk of a possible invasion. She loathed the thought of another war. Lifting the Bible from her end table, she flipped to the marker and began her daily reading, picking up at Psalm 71.

  “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline Thine ear unto me, and save me. Be Thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.”

  As she continued, a tear slid down her cheek and dripped onto her nightgown. The words seemed to sum up her state of mind. Since her arrival at the kibbutz, she had been largely ignored, even shunned, for her Christianity. No amount of good nature could overcome it. She felt like a millstone around the neck of the commune. Now, the talk of war only made things more demoralizing. She stopped reading for a moment, contemplating her uncertain future and then read on.

  “Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the Earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side…”

  She finished, turned down the sheet, and got into bed. The prayer that followed was poignant and heartfelt.

  “Oh Father, You know I love You—how I long to be with You and away from this place. Troubles surround me on every side. I feel hemmed in, like a prisoner in my own land. I am a Hebrew, but despised by my countrymen because of my love for Your Son. Truly I have lived a life of sorrow. Mama and Papa are gone. Joshua is gone and maybe Davy and Gil...I don’t know. Everyone I have ever loved is gone, and I am left desolate. I live in a desert surrounded by nations who hate me. I struggle with worthless soil that gives barely enough to survive. I feel lost and without hope except for You. You are my only hope and my salvation. Please, dear God, have mercy. Come and take me home. Don’t leave me here like this, consumed by sorrow and grief. Even so, Lord, I am here. I am Your servant, and I love You. I always will.”

  She turned over her tear-soaked pillow and drifted off to sleep.

  CHAPTER 27

  Confident in his decision and completely focused, Ari stood and faced the display. “Zoey, put me through to Capt. Argon.”

  Brenda Case, the captain’s assistant, took the call. “Yes, Dr. Stratford, may I help you?”

  “Bren, I need to speak with the captain. I’m afraid it’s urgent.”

  “He’s here. I’ll put you through.”

  Captain Argon acknowledged his assistant and took the call, sensing something disconcerting in Ari’s expression. “What is it Ari, what’s happened? You look troubled.”

  Trying unsuccessfully to keep his emotions in check, Ari said, “Jay, something’s come up, and I need your help...and very possibly the ship’s council.”

  Captain Argon had never seen Ari in such a state. It was more than apparent the situation warranted immediate attention. “I’ll assemble the council,” he said, “but it may take some time. Doc Socal and Brent Heath are down on the surface. We’ll try to tie them in on the com-link. Let’s look at meeting in the main conference room in...say, two hours. If that changes, I’ll let you know.”

  “I’ll be there,” Ari said. “Thanks, Jay. It means a lot.” The com-link closed, and Ari began pacing the room, trying to assemble a mental timeline. Who can I count on? he thought. How large a crew? When do I call them in? What equipment? The questions spun in his head at a dizzying pace. Periodically he would look up to check the chronometer on the main display. It was time for his sleep cycle, but sleep was the farthest thing from his mind.

  ———————

  When he entered the conference room, most of the council was already assembled.

  Captain Argon followed him in. “We’re still waiting on Hal Trundle. Doc Socal and Brent Heath are linked in on com.”

  Ari expressed his gratitude, trying to stay focused.

  Doc Trundle, the senior engineer, entered and took his seat at the table.

  Rather than standing at the podium as was customary when briefing the council, Ari stood at the opposite end of the conference table, in front of the massive imaging display. He removed the tablet from his hip and established a link with the display. His expression was solemn.

  “My friends, thank you for your time,” he began. “I would ask that you please bear with me and hold judgment until I get everything out. Something of great importance and of a deeply personal nature has come up, and I think we would all be best served if I just start from the beginning.”

  Ari took a moment to gather his thoughts, and said, “When we arrived here fifteen years ago, I was among the first to be assigned a case study. Because I’m a Christian, and my area of interest involves the lost tribes of Israel, I was assigned a young Jewish boy, Joshua Behr.” The large display came to life, and Ari began to present short motion sequences of the Behr family. “Joshua lived with his parents and older sister in the United States.

  “A year after I started the study, the family moved to Berlin. Then, only a few months after arriving, the boy died of pneumonia. Because I had found the family a very rich source of cultural information, I asked to stay on with them. My request involved shifting my study to the boy’s seven-year-old sister, Adina, or Adie, as she is known. And though, historically, ops only approves case studies for someone of the same gender, I received special consideration based on the reasons I already mentioned and the fact that I am a medical doctor.

  “One year later, another boy was born to the family, followed by yet another in late 1937. Unfortunately, the family was caught up in the Nazi persecution and was eventually confined to a Jewish ghetto in central Hungary. While there, this incident occurred.”

  Ari began imagery of the assault on Adie’s family. He struggled to concentrate as the violence played out behind him.

  “This brutal attack left Adie unconscious and blind in one eye. Sadly, the following day, her parents
, along with four other innocents, were taken into an alley and executed...senseless cruelty.”

  Hearing groans from several of his colleagues, Ari said, “You know very little of Adie or her family, and yet you are moved by this. You can imagine how devastating it was for me, having grown so close to them over the years. I’ve never felt more helpless.”

  As Ari’s petition continued to unfold, no one missed the desperation in his eyes or the uncharacteristic nervousness and anxiety.

  “A few days before this incident, the Jewish leadership agreed on a plan to spirit a handful of young people out of the ghetto, including Adie. The escape succeeded and eventually Adie and her companions, with the help of local freedom fighters, managed to join a partisan group some distance to the north. Because her brothers were too young to travel, they remained behind and were taken in by another family. Tragically, six weeks later, a train took the entire ghetto population, including Adie’s brothers, to a prison camp in Poland where they were all put to death….”

  Ari delayed momentarily before displaying a map of southern Europe.

  “Adie stayed with the partisans until late September, when she and a few others embarked on a seven hundred mile journey across Italy to France. She eventually ended up in Spain where some months later she boarded a ship for Israel. After a delay in Cyprus, she finally arrived in Israel and joined this kibbutz near the northern border—her current location.”

  Ari displayed an overhead view of the small commune. The Chabar Kibbutz consisted of a dozen buildings arranged in two concentric circles around a large central structure. Six guard towers and barbwire fencing encompassed the compound.

  “As you can see,” Ari said, pointing to the image, “they are at the southern end of this valley. A few hours ago, ops notified me that Syria and four other Arab nations are moving to coordinate an attack on Israel. The Syrian forces, which include infantry and light armor, will launch their attack in just under twenty-four hours. They are massing in the valley just north of Adie’s kibbutz. And though ops feels Israel will ultimately repel these attacks, this kibbutz, with its limited defenses, will certainly be overrun. If attacked, Adie and her comrades have all sworn to fight to the last person. And so, without intervention, tomorrow evening at this time, Adie will be dead.” Ari paused again to regain his voice. “I am determined to do everything in my power to prevent this. Therefore, my friends, I am humbly asking that you allow me to assemble a small rescue team to go in before this attack and move her to safety. I am aware that this may seem a rather strange and inappropriate request. And I know that formal interspecies contact is forbidden. Yet, I believe I have a plan which will both prevent formal contact and save her life. Please, we mustn’t stand by and allow this to happen. If Adie dies, a large part of me dies with her.” Ari’s voice broke. “I need your help.”