by Don Koch
Andy said, "Talk about no pressure! How come we can not see you? Where are you?"
Chief Cody said, "Aston, I believe that our youngsters are capable of making a decision on how they wish to proceed. I have been impressed with the maturity they exhibit in facing issues and how they address them. However, I would like to hear more about these implants you mentioned. What do they do? How are they applied? Are there downsides?"
"I think I would prefer Jim."
"That is considerably more than I expected to hear."
He continued,
Andy said, "Aston, let me guess. The ones here, are they Edward Carter and Jane Larson, and the ones in Siberia, would they be Nikolay Ivanovich and Anya Petrova?"
"I considered who I knew to be the most like us in attitude, motivation and so forth and they were the only ones to come to mind. The nice thing is that Ed, Jane and their parents are coming down by boat in four days to spend the day with us. I know Nikolay and Anya from a martial arts competition in Tokyo last summer and their attitudes are very much like ours. Before we go further, I would like to say something. Everything you have told us is so far beyond any reality I would ever have anticipated that I admit that it is difficult to get my mind around it. Nevertheless, I can't ignore the fact that so many people are in danger and we can do something to prevent it." Pat looked at him and nodded agreement. "That much power is a bit of a scary prospect. I worry about the effect that might have on our ability to maintain an appropriate perspective. I wish to accept this gift from the Lotans and hope that the rest of you will join me. It looks like there is a lot of work to be done."
Bill Foster replied, "Well said, I am proud of you son, your mom and I are with you and Pat." Everyone else in the room promptly agreed that they too wished to accept. It was unanimous.
Andy asked, "Why have you selected me to lead, why not an adult?"
The reaction from all, including the adults, confirmed the choice.
"Can you tell us more about the Lotans."
As the video proceeded, Aston noted that the Lotans were very much like the Earth people in appearance with a technology base about a thousand years or more ahead of present day Earth. They were human with a reddish tinge to their skin coloration. They were a handsome and attractive people. Aston indicated that he had an extensive library to share. He also showed them a short video of the invaders. He noted that there would be many more questions and he would answer them but suggested a break. He did not wish to further overload them, as the information they had at this point was sufficient food for thought for a few days.
Chapter 3 - Completing the Team
# Day Four at Turner Lake #
# Tuesday, June 14 #
The next day they were all sunbathing on the big rock ledge in front of the cabin and Barbara was trying out one of her new abilities. She was horizontal about two feet above the ground, slowly turning over and over. "I feel like I am on a giant rotisserie and I am well done." They all laughed.
Maria asked, "Where are Jim, Andy and Pat?"
Gus responded, "They are testing their teleport capabilities. They wanted to see the Taku river and glacier from that mountain top," pointing to a peak to the East of them. "Andy tells me its spectacular. We will have to be careful that no one sees us doing these things. I want to practice the invisibility thing. That could be extremely useful in a pinch. Actually I am trying as many things as I can. Oh, oh, I just heard someone beaching a boat near the trailhead to this cabin. Sounds like six people. We had best get ready for them." Gus went on telepathically,
# 20 minutes later #
A voice on the trail called out, "Hello the Cabin, can we come up?"
Bill Foster called out, "Come on up."
The first persons to arrive were Ed Carter and Jane Larson followed by their parents. Andy exclaimed, "Wow, its good to see you guys, but you are a couple of days early. What happened."
Ed responded, “Dad was able to rent the USFS’ Taku Cabin because someone had to back out at the last minute and we were first on the waiting list. That means we can pop over pretty easily. So how is it going here. This location is amazing.”
“I’m really glad you came in early. We have some really strange news and you need to hear it but promise not to share it anywhere else. The news is for both families.”
“My that sounds cryptic.”
“That will prove to be the understatement of the year.”
Andy raised his voice to be heard and said, “Would everyone please gather around for a few minutes. We have some news that is going to sound a bit bizarre but all of us here are witness to the truth of what we are about to say and show you.”
Chief Jim added, “He is telling this straight and all of us can vouch for and demonstrate what he tells you. This is not a put on. It is fact. So for a few minutes put your skepticism aside and see what you think. Andy it’s your show.”
“Thanks Chief, I am not sure that show is quite the right word for
this, but here goes. The easiest way to explain this is to show you. Yesterday, the thing you will see was located in that notch across the lake. Today it has been moved. I think that all of you have been in this cabin at sometime in the past. You are familiar with the big double-dutch doors between the sleeping area and the dining area. Right.” All nodded in agreement.
“Come on inside and let me show you something.” The double doors were open and they could see the sleeping bags and equipment in the room. Andy pushed the doors closed and said, "Yesterday, up in that notch I touched a rock face on the west side of the notch and this is what happened.” As he touched the door, his hand disappeared into the door.
Ed’s father went wide eyed and said, “that’s not possible!”
Andy laughed and said, “that was kind of the thought I had yesterday when it happened with a solid rock wall. After testing it a bit we all went through the wall because we were curious and had to see what was in there. This is a portal and I want to invite you to see what is on the other side. Also a full explanation is available there.” Meanwhile, the others who had been through before were entering the portal. Some spoke back through the portal saying, “Come on in, its safe.”
Finally Ed’s father said, “Ok, curiosity is getting to me, I have to see this." He went through and exclaimed, “Sweet!” With that the rest followed and they all went through.
When they were all in the main room, Andy said, “This that you see around you is a gift to Earth from a people that are gone because of an invasion that destroyed them about a year and a half ago. They did not want us to suffer the same fate so they sent us Aston. Aston is going to fill you in on what this is all about.”