“Kevin. Good. Your daughter said you were at the game. I hate to interrupt your fun. I have the game on here at the office. It’s good. But anyway, this is important. I—”
The crowd went nuts as Sam Johnson hit the free throw that tied the game.
“Mike … I can’t hear you! Let me go out into the concourse!” Kevin turned and began to make his way out when Adam grabbed his arm.
“Where are you going, Dad? You can’t miss this!”
Kevin showed Adam his phone. “Got an important call from Michael Konrad!”
Adam nodded and turned his attention back to the game.
A few moments later, Kevin was out in the concourse, away from the noise of the crowd. He looked at the visual image instead of holding the phone to his ear. “Go ahead, Mike. I can hear you now.”
“Sorry, but this is important. The FBI, the CIA, the military, and not to mention the President, have been on my butt all day.”
“What? Why would they be questioning you?”
“The shuttle we saw go through the wormhole just beyond Mars a couple of days ago … well … it arrived today.”
“And …?”
“Well, you were right, Kevin. This shuttle isn’t a modified version of Mars II.”
“Well, then … who or what is it?”
“I don’t know. But this shuttle wasn’t shy about avoiding our satellites. In fact, that’s why the government is questioning me. The government saw what we at NASA saw as well.”
“What did you see?”
“The shuttle orbited Earth for a few hours. During its orbit, it dropped off about two hundred small probes.”
“What kind of probes?”
“We don’t know. We tried to contact the shuttle in every language known to man, but no response. That’s why the government is questioning me. They think we launched some sort of secret shuttle without their permission.”
“Where is the shuttle now?”
“Well, as soon as it dropped off the probes, it took off back toward Mars. We’re tracking its course.”
Kevin was frustrated. This was clearly not the news he was hoping to hear. “What about Jake? Have you heard anything from Jake?”
“Sorry, Kevin. We’re monitoring the wormhole twenty-four-seven. It’s even opening and closing more frequently. The only shuttle that has gone through was the shuttle we saw a few days ago.”
Kevin shook his head. His worst fears were beginning to come to fruition. Maybe Jake and Adrian were stranded on some strange planet, or worse – dead. “It’s not your fault, Mike. Just keep me posted, okay?”
“I will. And, by the way, when are you going to be in Washington D.C. next?”
“I have to meet with the Congressional Technology Committee in June. Why?”
Mike seemed uncomfortable on the other end of the phone. He sighed and said, “Well, President Galbraith and his advisers want to meet with you personally about the shuttles you helped design.”
Kevin gave Mike an annoyed look. “I kind of figured.”
Mike nodded. “Kevin, they’re not blaming us. They’re just suspicious that’s all. … Listen, Kevin, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Yeah. Bye, Mike.”
Kevin put his phone back into his pocket. He turned to go back into the arena, but he didn’t feel like it, even though the crowd was frenzied and the game was coming down to the wire. He sighed and turned toward the exit.
Once outside, he sat on the steps leading up to one of the entrances and buried his head in his hands. Desperation began to set in as the events of the last few days began to overwhelm him. He was beginning to lose faith. Would he ever see Jake or Adrian again? In addition, he had an uneasy feeling that something wasn’t right about this new shuttle he had seen come through the wormhole.
He lifted his head and looked up at the stars. He didn’t know the answers to his questions, so he decided to take a walk around the arena for some air and to clear his mind. He sighed, stood up, and began walking.
As he walked, his mind was still in a fog. He knew what he needed to do, so he looked around for a secluded spot near the arena. Looking to his right, he saw a small concrete staircase that led down to a maintenance door. Knowing he wouldn’t be seen or heard, and appreciating the solitude, he made his way down the steps and knelt on his knees. He then began to offer a fervent prayer to his Father in Heaven. In his prayer, he gave thanks for everything that he had been blessed with in his life. He then asked for answers to the questions that had been plaguing him since the discovery of the strange wormhole.
He also asked about another issue that had been on his mind for some time. For years, many people began to question whether Christ was actually going to return like He had promised. After all, scholars and believers alike had been predicting that the Lord’s return was imminent. But with the passing years, and the entire world relatively at peace, many believers were beginning to question the doctrine on the Second Coming of Christ.
When he finished his prayer, he continued to kneel and sat in silent reflection as he looked up at the stars.
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Kevin jumped up from his kneeling position and whirled around, looking up at the top of the steps. “I’m sorry? Wh … Who are you?”
Standing at the top of the steps was a man, tall and strong, dressed in blue denim pants with a Jazz jersey and a Jazz baseball cap. The man gave Kevin a warm smile. “I’m sorry, Kevin. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Kevin walked cautiously up the steps. He didn’t know why, but there was something inviting about the strange man. When he arrived at the top, the man extended his hand. Kevin extended his as well and the two men shook hands.
The man, still smiling, introduced himself. “I’m John.”
Kevin returned John’s smile as he become more relaxed. “Hi, John. Do we know each other?”
The lights from the arena reflected off John’s dark brown eyes as he spoke. “We haven’t met, but I do know who you are, Kevin – the man who invented artificial intelligence.”
Kevin nodded in return. After all, most of the people in Salt Lake, and the world for that matter, knew who he was.
John continued. “Like I said before, I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just coming out of the Arena and I heard someone speaking down there,” he said, pointing down toward the maintenance door, “I shouldn’t have eavesdropped on your prayer.”
“It’s okay,” Kevin said. “I’ve just had a lot of questions lately. You know, since my nephew’s disappearance near Mars.”
“Ah yes, you’ve been through a lot, Kevin. I’m sorry for your losses – first your brother and then your nephew.”
Kevin gave the man an accepting smile. “Thank you. … But wha … what was that you said before … about knoweth no man?”
John continued to give Kevin a warm smile as he spoke. “I quoted Matthew chapter twenty-four, verse thirty-six. No man knows when Christ will come again, Kevin. Not even the angels in heaven.”
Kevin looked a little disappointed. “Yeah, I know. I’m just trying to figure things out.”
John nodded again compassionately. “You know, I have been following your story in the news. I know the questions you have about what happened to your brother and where he is now.”
Kevin felt the emotions of loss and pain bubble to the surface again as he looked at the kind man with sadness in his eyes. John seemed to notice and continued. “What if I were to tell you that Adrian and Jake are being watched over by the Lord?”
Kevin gave the strange man a look of confusion. “What do you mean? H … how would you know that?”
The man smiled. “Let’s just call it intuition. I have a strong feeling that they are alive and well, performing a greater calling. You know it as well, Kevin. Search your feelings and put away your logic and reasoning. Use your faith.”
With these words, tears began to stream
down Kevin’s face. He had known all along that Adrian was alive. But without seeing him with his physical eyes, he couldn’t believe it. Somehow, he even knew that Jake was okay. But he didn’t know what to say. The emotions were too strong.
John recognized his loss for words and continued. “And, to answer your question about that strange ship and probes the news has been reporting on … who knows? … Only the Lord. But the scriptures have taught us only what the signs of the times are, not necessarily how they will come to be.”
John then placed his hand on Kevin’s right shoulder. “Just remember, Kevin, rely on the Lord and he will show you the way.”
Kevin smiled and was about to speak when fans began to file out of the arena. His phone rang, and the image of his son appeared. “That’s my son,” he said, looking down at his phone. “The game must be over, and he’s probably wondering where I am.”
Before he answered the phone, he looked up to thank the kind man for his words of comfort and advice. However, the man was gone. He looked around through the crowds of fans that were filing out of the arena, searching for John as his phone continued to ring.
**********
Skip, Jaskead, Ariauna, and Captain Morasea were all at the top of the stairs in front of the large wooden door.
“Are you sure this will work?” Ariauna asked.
Captain Morasea looked up at Ariauna from his kneeling position on the floor. “Don’t worry. These charges will blow through a wall five meters thick.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. I don’t want you to bring this entire temple down with your toys,” Ariauna said.
Jaskead put his arm around his daughter. “Come, Ariauna. Let us leave the captain to do his work.”
Ariauna didn’t respond and began to follow her father down the stairs when Captain Morasea’s and Skip’s communicators beeped. Skip grabbed his first and answered. “What is it?”
“Sir—”
“Lieutenant Ishae, is that you? There’s too much static, and why can’t I see you on the view screen?”
“Sir … c … Gn—”
“Lieutenant … I can’t hear you. Repeat.”
There was no response. Skip looked at Captain Morasea, who looked back with the same bewildered look. “Captain, go and see what the problem is,” Skip ordered.
Captain Morasea nodded, drew his gun, and made his way down the stairs.
“Jaskead, Ariauna, get back up here,” said Skip.
Skip watched as Morasea turned and trotted down the stairs. Just as he turned the corner, He heard a gun blast. The plasma bolt nailed its target as the captain was thrown against the back wall. His lifeless and bleeding body slowly slid down the wall, leaving a bright red streak of blood. Ariauna screamed. She and Jaskead jumped behind Skip for protection.
Skip quickly drew his gun and could feel Ariauna’s trembling body on his while he waited patiently. Around the corner came two Gnol soldiers dressed in red battle fatigues and red battle helmets. They had their plasma assault rifles raised.
Skip raised his gun to get a shot off, but one of the Gnols threw an object up the stairs, and the two disappeared around the corner. Skip looked at the circular object and his eyes widened. “Grenade!” he yelled as he turned to cover Ariauna.
Jaskead lunged forward to kick the grenade back down the stairs, but it was too late. The deafening blast sent the three crashing through the door. Rock and wood splattered everywhere. Skip felt a sharp pain in his back and landed on the floor in the next room, his head hitting a piece of the wall.
When the smoke and dust settled, Skip slowly opened his eyes. Everything was blurry, and his body felt as if it had just been stabbed one hundred times. Finally, after his vision cleared, he looked to his right. There, lying right next to him was Ariauna. Her forehead was bleeding, and she was unconscious. He prayed she was still alive. He then turned to find Jaskead.
There he was. About five feet to Skip’s left. He lay there; eyes wide open, staring at Skip. Skip called out for him, but no answer. Skip tried to get up, but he couldn’t. The only thing he could move was his head. He then looked straight ahead … and there it was; the answer to the prophecy.
He heard footsteps from behind and felt a fierce blow on the back of his head, causing his forehead to crash to the floor.
**********
City of Chast. Koroan’s Palace …
Celeste sat in one of the numerous luxurious leather chairs within her father’s spacious office. She had never been in this office before. It was located on the thirty-fourth floor of the palace, just below the mysterious thirty-fifth floor, and it was immense. She estimated it to be nearly one thousand square feet of floor space.
She looked around the office. It was full of paintings and idols, all of which honored her father. Behind her father’s gigantic wooden desk was a large window that encompassed the entire east wall. It was obvious why the window was so large. Celeste could just imagine her father peering out of the window daily, out upon the city he built to himself. She then looked to her left and saw what looked like an elevator entrance. She wondered if this was the elevator her father used to get to the mysterious thirty-fifth floor.
Celeste stood and tried to loosen the ties that bound her hands behind her back for more comfort. It was useless. Whoever tied them did a good job. She closed her eyes and tried to loosen the cords with her newfound telekinetic powers. It didn’t work.
She was beginning to understand that in order for her to use her abilities, she needed to use her hands. She figured there must be a connection between her mind and her hands. In fact, ever since her capture, she had her hands tied behind her back.
She sighed and sat back down. She was exhausted, hungry, and in need of a bath. The past two days had been miserable. She spent the last two days in the brig – in the basement of the palace – along with Bantyr, Kylee, and Sean. The other three didn’t have their hands bound, but were treated brutally by the guards.
Sean had been taken to her father. His inhibitors were taken out and he had been tortured for information; and for no other reason other than her father enjoyed it. As a result, her father now knew where the second base was, and where Celeste’s true loyalties rested.
Kylee and Bantyr, on the other hand, weren’t tortured. Kylee was taken in for emergency surgery, and miraculously, her charred body was repaired; almost back to normal. If one looked hard enough, however, one would still be able to make out the areas where her skin grafts had been placed. It astonished Celeste as to why her father would permit Kylee’s burned skin to be repaired. Bantyr, on the other hand, was left in the brig with Celeste, but he was beaten severely by the guards whenever they got the chance. Celeste knew, however, that her father wouldn’t kill them. They were too important to him. He would use them to get to Adrian.
It was also obvious that Celeste’s father was furious with her as well. She had demanded to see him several times throughout the two days. But the guards laughed and said that she was a disgrace to the Gnol race, and her father would just as soon let her die with the heathen humans. Until today. Today, her father demanded to see her. As a result, the guards – without any regard for royal respect – dragged her, blindfolded and with hands tied behind her back, to her father’s office.
She was fearful. What would her father do to her? Moreover, would he truly keep the other three alive?
She heard yelling just outside of the door. The door slid open and in walked her father. He was no longer adorned in his usual white royal robe. Instead, he was dressed in similar black battle fatigues as Dorange wore, only her father’s contained more medals and patches, demonstrating his power and might.
As her father entered the room, he turned his head and glared at Celeste. Never before had she seen such evil in her father’s eyes. Koroan walked to the front of his desk and turned around. Dorange followed sheepishly. He looked like a dog that had just been beaten by its owner.
Koroan yelled with such volume it caused Celeste
to tremble. “How dare you fail me!”
Celeste ducked her head in fear.
Koroan walked around his desk and slammed his fist down. The enormous desk split in two. “You had the heathen leader in your grasp, and you let him go!”
Dorange backed up as Koroan yelled so loudly that it caused the gigantic window to shake.
Dorange’s voice trembled as he spoke. “Pl … Please, your worship. I did not mean to fail. I—”
Celeste felt her jaw drop. “What?” she questioned.
Koroan shot her a look. “You will not speak!” he barked as he approached Dorange. As a result, Dorange dropped to the floor.
Celeste had never before seen Dorange so afraid. He was now sitting on the floor with one arm raised, terrified Koroan would throw down a powerful blow. Koroan didn’t deliver the blow Dorange expected, however. Instead, he began to pace back and forth with his hands behind his back. To Celeste, her father seemed to have switched his mood again from the monster he could become to the compassionate, caring father Celeste had once known.
Koroan slowly walked back to Dorange and gently lifted him with his telekinetic powers. “Yes, even though you have failed me in this mission, you have been more loyal to me than any other Gnol,” he said as he turned and gave Celeste a look that caused her to tremble even more. He turned back to Dorange, letting him drop to the floor. “You can still prove your worth.”
Dorange seemed to have stopped shaking. He then slid to the floor and knelt at Koroan’s feet. “How, My Lord? Please … I beg of thee. What can I do to prove that I am loyal to my god?”
Koroan smiled at Dorange’s reference to him as a god. Celeste rolled her eyes. “If you want to prove your worth to me, Dorange, you will lead the attack against the new planet that has been discovered. … What is it called? Ah, yes … Earth.”
Celeste was stunned. How would her father know about Adrian’s home world?
Dorange quickly stood with a look of shock on his face. “But, My Lord, Earth …”
Worlds Without End: The Mission (Book 1) Page 25