George Brown and the Protector

by Duane L. Ostler

  “No, thank you,” said the protector quickly. “But we do appreciate your kindness in letting us come into your home.”

  “My daughter said you would be coming,” said Mrs. Na. “I’m sorry that my home is so simple. We had to move here a year ago when my husband disappeared.”

  George looked up sharply. “Disappeared?” he asked curiously. “One year ago?”

  “That’s right,” said Jiu Na. “One day he was just gone, without any warning. He went to work and didn’t come back. He had a good job too, and we lived in a nice house. But after he disappeared, we couldn’t stay there anymore. Nobody has heard from him or has any idea where he went, although sometimes I dream that he comes to me in my sleep and writes in my hand.”

  George’s mouth was dry, and he could suddenly feel the pounding of his heart in his ears. He stared in shock at Jiu Na, hardly believing what she had just said.

  She looked curiously back at George. “What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.

  With an effort, he said slowly, “My father disappeared too. One year ago. And no one knows where he went. And sometimes I dream that he comes and writes on my hand.”

  Jiu Na and her mother stared at George, their eyes wide. “You poor boy,” Mrs. Na said after a moment. “It must be very hard for you.”

  George gave a half hearted smile, but didn’t know what to say. He shifted from one foot to the other.

  “If that’s so, then you must have talked to the leathery brown man too,” said Jiu Na softly. “And you probably have one of these.” And with this, she pulled a small, clear rock from behind a pot on a scratched shelf and held it up.

  George gasped. The rock reflected the dim light in the shack and seemed to magnify it as if it were much brighter than it really was. Although it was several feet away in Jiu Na’s hand, George could almost feel it throbbing. Slowly he pulled the pouch containing his own rock from his pocket. When he reached inside it felt icy cold, but by the time he pulled it out it had become almost too hot to touch.

  The instant George’s rock came out of the pouch a shaft of brilliant light shot between the two stones. The tiny shack was bathed in light so bright that everyone was temporarily blinded.

  And then the light was gone.

  The rock in George’s hand suddenly felt neither hot nor cold and was perfectly clear. It seemed so ordinary that if George hadn’t felt and seen what had just happened, he would never have believed it.

  “Wow!” said Emberly in amazement. “That was cool. Do it again!”

  “I don’t know how,” mumbled George. “I don’t even know what just happened.”

  “You mean, you don’t know how to control it?” said Jiu Na in disappointment. “When the leathery brown man told me you three would be coming, I was hoping one of you would have a rock like this and would know what to do with it and how to use it.”

  “When did this little brown man come?” asked the protector.

  “A few days ago, right after the fallen star came down in that field over there and I found the rock. He didn’t say much – just something about a sacrifice I could make, and that a man and a boy and girl would be coming, and they might help me know what to do to protect the earth from fire and ice, and to save my father.”

  “Save your father!” exclaimed George. “He never mentioned anything like that when he came to me. He just told me to find the protector and that the earth was in danger from fire and ice.”

  “Who is the protector?” asked Jiu Na.

  “That would be me,” said the protector with a bow. “I hope I won’t startle you and your mother too much if I say that I am from another planet and am here on assignment to protect the earth.”

  Mrs. Na stepped back in alarm, but Jiu Na didn’t seem surprised at all. “Is the leathery little man from your world too?” she asked.

  “No,” replied the protector. “That was a ‘Ziphon,’ a being that lives sideways through time and knows much of the future. He recently came to me and to George here, to give us a warning that the earth is in danger, and we are now trying to figure out what that danger is. So we came here to your country—“

  “You mean, you’re not from China?” exclaimed Jiu Na.

  “Actually,” said George, “I’m from California, in the USA.”

  “You mean America?!” Jiu Na cried, staring at George in total amazement. “You speak Chinese very well,” she said softly.

  “I don’t actually speak Chinese at all,” said George with an embarrassed laugh. Jiu Na and her mother stared at him in confusion.

  “This is probably a lot to be telling you all at once,” interjected the protector, “but I have a few tools that I use in my … uhm … profession, and I transformed George, Emberly and I from our normal appearance, so that we would look like Chinese people. We are also chewing some translator gum, which allows us to speak Chinese. I know this all probably sounds a little crazy to you—“

  “Oh, not at all!” said Jiu Na. “Ever since my father disappeared strange things have been happening. But strangest of all was when that big star fell the other night with such a huge crash! I was the first to get over to where it fell. People were running up from everywhere. It was hot and steamy and scary, and some people thought a war had started or the end of the world had come. And then I found this rock. I was drawn to it somehow. I haven’t told anyone I have it. But I know it must have come with the fallen star. Somehow, it seemed like it was meant just for me.”

  “It’s a relief, that you haven’t told anyone,” said the protector. “When George first came to me we did a little research on his rock.” Briefly he told Jiu Na of what they had learned about rocks from the planet Uth, and the strange powers they had.

  “That explains a lot,” said Jiu Na. “Right before the star fell, my school said I needed a new uniform or I couldn’t attend in the fall when school starts up again. I knew we didn’t have the money to buy one, so it looked like I wouldn’t be able to go to school anymore. If you don’t go to school here in China, you’re trapped in a life of poverty forever.”

  “Then two days after I found this rock, it suddenly got very hot while I was walking to the market. Then it slipped out of my hand into a ditch and when I dug through the weeds to find it, I found the money I needed for my uniform—the exact amount!”

  “That sounds like what happened to me at the store!” said George. “The rock helped me find a can of pickled peaches.”

  “A can of WHAT?” exclaimed both Jiu Na and her mother.

  The protector laughed. “It’s an American thing, so don’t worry about it. Has the rock done anything else strange?”

  “Well, there was one other time it did,” said Jiu Na reluctantly. “It was kind of scary, so I don’t like to talk about it.”

  A prickly feeling went up the back of George’s neck. He had a feeling he knew what she was about to say.

  “A few nights ago,” continued Jiu Na slowly, “I woke up to see the rock glowing. When I picked it up I felt like I needed to go outside. I went out and looked up at the stars. They seemed closer than normal that night.” Jiu Na shivered. There was silence for a moment in the shack. “Suddenly something very strange happened. It was like I could suddenly see way out in space. I saw a ship with a window, and at the window I saw a creature.” Jiu Na shuffled her feet uncomfortably. “He had a dog-like face, and it seemed like I could feel evil coming from him. And behind him I saw my father.” Jiu Na’s voice broke, and she stared at the floor.

  Slowly George said, “I saw the same thing one night. Only behind the creature was MY father!”

  CHAPTER 16: The Ring

  Jiu Na looked up sharply. “What does it all mean?” she exclaimed. “Why are you and I seeing the same things half way around the world?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to find out,” said the protector. “The dog-like creature you saw is from a cruel race of creatures known as the ‘Grak.’ While I know they are up to some type of mischief with these fallen stars, so f
ar I haven’t been able to find out what it is.”

  Suddenly they heard a screech from the corner of the little shack. Turning, they saw Emberly looking with disgust at an egg plant sitting on the top of a little basket on the floor.

  “You have one of those awful egg rocks! You should throw it away!” She picked up the egg plant and aimed it at the shack’s single, tiny window.

  “Emberly, stop!” commanded the protector. “That’s food for Jiu Na and her mother. It just needs to be cooked and it will taste good.”

  “Really?” said Emberly, looking at the egg plant in wonder. Suddenly she thrust the egg plant at Jiu Na’s mother. “Cook it,” she commanded. “I want to try some.”

  “Now, Emberly,” said the protector gently, taking the egg plant, “It would take too long to cook, and besides we have plenty of food at home.”

  “I want to try some!” yelled Emberly.

  “I can cook some if she likes,” said Mrs. Na gently. “We also have fried rice.”

  “I’m sorry,” apologized the protector. “I’m afraid I failed to introduce us properly. This is Emberly, an orphan in my care. She is also from another world. I’m afraid she doesn’t yet know very much about earth manners.”

  “What don’t I know?” demanded Emberly in surprise. “I thought you taught me to be honest and open with people about what I thought?”

  The protector sighed. “True,” he said patiently. “But not all the time. There are times you need to not say anything in order to be polite.”

  Emberly shook her head. “Earth is a very confusing place. First you’re supposed to do things, then you’re not. Then you’re supposed to say things, then you’re not. How are you supposed to know the difference?”

  Mrs. Na took Emberly’s hand and patted it. “There, there, it’s not that bad,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll learn what you need to know soon enough.”

  Emberly pulled her hand away from Mrs. Na and looked at it. Then she looked up at Mrs. Na. “That felt nice,” she said in a trembling voice. “Why did you do it?”

  “To comfort you,” said Mrs. Na simply.

  Emberly looked confused for a moment. Then she took Mrs. Na’s hand and patted it. A tear was in her eye. “You’re a mother, aren’t you?” she said softly. “I had a mother once.”

  Mrs. Na took Emberly in her arms and gave her a hug. Emberly was crying softly. The protector coughed uncomfortably and George shifted from one foot to the other again. Jiu Na stood to the side, not knowing what to say.

  At last the protector said softly to Mrs. Na, “there are some things I have not been able to provide for Emberly. Thank you.”

  Suddenly Jiu Na said to George, “What’s that blinking light in your pocket?”

  George looked down to see his cell phone blinking. “Gosh,” he said. “I thought it wouldn’t work here.” He pushed the answer button and said “hello?”

  There was no response.

  “It’s probably not working normally,” said the protector. “In fact, I’m surprised it showed in incoming call. The signal probably linked through my car and the transporter somehow.

  “Is that a cell phone?” said Jiu Na. “My father used to have one.”

  “Yes,” said George simply. Turning to the protector he said worriedly, “Looks like I might be in trouble with my Mom.”

  “Yes, we’d best be going,” said the protector. “I think we found what we needed here. And I’m especially grateful that you have the Uth rock, Jiu Na, rather than someone else. I think it’s safer in your hands. Be careful with it, and don’t tell another soul you have it.”

  “Before we leave,” he continued, “let me give you something.” He pulled two small, silver rings from his pocket. He handed one to Jiu Na. “It looks like an ordinary ring for your finger, but it’s much more. It’s actually a communicator.”

  “Here, George,” said the protector, handing the other ring to George. “You need one too. The way it works is pretty simple, really,” said the protector. “If you want to call someone, just slip it off your finger and put it in your ear—“

  “Your ear!” exclaimed Jiu Na.

  “Yes,” said the protector. “Just the outer part of your ear, like this.” The protector slipped a third ring into his ear. “Try it—it fits quite well.”

  Jiu Na and George each put the ring in the outer part of their ear and were surprised that the protector was right—it did fit quite comfortably.

  “So,” continued the protector, “just put it in the outer part of your ear then say the name of the person you want to call. Of course it has to be someone else who has a similar ring. No matter where they are in the world, their ring will tighten three times, to let the person know someone is trying to call them. When that person puts their ring in their ear, the two can talk to each other.”

  “How can the ring hear you when you talk?” asked George. “Don’t you have to take it out and put it up to your mouth?”

  “No,” the protector said. “I know it sounds crazy, but when you talk, the sound echoes through your head. We’re all a bit hollow headed, you know. The transmitter in your ear picks up these vibrations and is able to interpret them.”

  “What about the language difference?” asked Jiu Na. “If I call George in America, will he understand me? Or do I need some of your special gum?”

  “No gum is needed when you use these,” said the protector. “I’ve given you each a ring that translates all incoming calls into your own language. I’ll be wearing a ring too, so you can call me anytime you need to. Just don’t call me during the 6:00 o’clock news. That’s my sacred time, you know.”

  George looked at the ring curiously. It was a tremendous relief to have it, since he had often wondered what to do if he needed the protector’s help when he wasn’t there.

  “What about me?” demanded Emberly. “Don’t I get a ring?”

  “Yes, of course,” said the protector, handing one to Emberly. “Although you’ll usually be with me, wherever I am.”

  A big smile spread across Emberly’s face. She put the ring in her ear and said “George Brown!” George immediately felt his ring tighten on his finger three times. Emberly then started repeating “George Brown!” over and over. George’s ring kept tightening so many times that it felt like his finger was being mangled.

  Turning to Mrs. Na, the protector said, “Thank you again for accepting us into your home. We’ll be off now, but will be in touch with Jiu Na.”

  The protector, George and Emberly left the shack, followed by Jiu Na. It was very late, and fewer bicycles, people and cars were around than before.

  “Now, Jiu Na,” said the protector, as they walked toward the car. “If anything unusual happens to you or the fallen star, call us immediately. The Grak are up to something, and it’s only a matter of time before something happens. We’ll be counting on you to let us know what goes on here, and we’ll let you know what’s happening at George’s home. Also, make sure to let us know if you have any more strange experiences with your Uth stone, or any further visits from a Ziphon.”

  “O.k.” said Jiu Na with a worried look on her face. “Will you find out how the Uth stone works, and how to help my father?”

  “I’ll do all I can,” the protector replied. “I don’t know how your fathers are involved in this whole thing, but I intend to find out.”

  After a hurried good-bye, the three left Jiu Na and went quickly back to the car and Ant Number 4. As they got in, they could see Jiu Na and her mother standing in the doorway of their shack waving at them.

  “It’s a great relief that Jiu Na has the rock, rather than someone else,” said the protector. “She seems like a sensible girl. I’m sure she’ll keep it safe.”

  Ant Number 4 put the car in gear and they started moving along the road. Soon Jiu Na and the field with the fallen star were out of sight.

  George’s mind was so caught up in what had happened at Jiu Na’s house that he hardly noticed the scenes of China passing
along the side of the road. There were still quite a few bikes everywhere, as well as taxis, buses, street carts and people. Many of the streets were of cobblestone. In the window of many shops were pictures of products for sale, everything from ice cream to stylish clothes, with a mass of Chinese characters below or to the side of each picture describing the product.

  However, George saw very little of any of this. Instead he was wondering how Jiu Na’s father and his father fit into everything that was happening. Why had he and Jiu Na seen them on the Grak ship when the Uth stone had tunneled their vision out into space? Why had they been captured by the Grak a year ago? And what was their connection with the fallen star and the Uth rock? None of it made any sense!

  The car dipped down an incline and George saw that they had returned to the hidden gully where the transporter had brought them. However, the transporter door was nowhere in sight!

  “Not to worry,” said the protector, noticing the concerned look on George’s face. “The transporter door is still there—it’s just cloaked.” He pulled what looked like a small remote control from the glove box of the car. When he clicked one of the buttons, the transporter door instantly appeared in front of them.

  “It will disappear and no longer be here as soon as we’re through,” said the protector. “Now let me check one little thing…” He clicked a few more buttons on the remote control, then studied a tiny message on a viewscreen at the top of the remote.

  “Looks like it’s all clear on the other side,” he said. “There are no human life forms detected within 1,000 feet of the transporter door in California, so we’re o.k. to go through.”

  Ant Number 4 moved the car forward. Once again as they moved through the door George felt his skin tingle and saw the rainbows of color bubbling through the car. It felt almost as if they were floating through a stained glass window that was constantly shifting color.

  Suddenly George heard a scraping, scratching sound and felt the car jerk wildly. Muffled California sunlight came back in a rush, but there were tall bushes and brambly branches screeching along the windows and exterior of the car as it came through the other side of the transporter.