Verron_Birth of a Nation

by Douglas Varnell

  They had to cross a trench in the ground five feet deep and fifteen feet across on their way back. They found a large rock overhanging the creek, with plenty of shade from surrounding trees and sat down to have a bite to eat. Hunter and Amber looked at each other as if reading each other’s mind. Amber nodded her deference to Hunter. He thought a moment and said, “You said last night that if we stick around, you promise to teach us everything you know. We want to know how to do that.” Amber nodded her agreement and asked, “What else can you do? You’re like a total freak aren’t you?” Paul laughed at her description of him and replied, “If I teach you this, then you two will be freaks also. Being a freak bears a lot of responsibility. It’s not for show or to impress your friends. When I learned to do what I do, I promised that I would never use it for any other reason than to defend myself and other people. Great power has great responsibility. If it’s used for the wrong reasons or wrong motives the results can be disastrous. I believe you two have what it takes. I have every intention of you learning what I know, but it requires some major changes and total commitment.

  Amber hesitantly asked, “Show us more.” They finished their sandwiches and Paul led them back to the hole in the field. As they stood beside him to watch, Paul began to levitate the debris that had been blown from the hole. As it gathered together in a cloud over the hole he slowly lowered it back to where it came from. With the hole filled he turned and said, “Can’t exactly leave that for someone to fall in now can we.” He looked at his two pupils and mumbled to himself, “Where do I begin?” He looked around at this beautiful and peaceful setting and told them, “As you have seen, the things I can do are usually very destructive, this place is too nice to mess-up; we’ll go someplace else.” He reached over to take their hands, as he said, “This is a form of teleportation I call a Jump.” In an instant they were in the valley full of rocks and boulders he and Zimuel had once used. It looked like a rock desert. Hunter and Amber looked around at their surroundings as Amber said, “I guess everything on Verron can’t be beautiful.” Paul pointed towards a mammoth sized boulder about 50 yards away. As they watched, it rose from the ground and flew in circles high over their heads. Paul then sent it across the valley about 200 yards and stopped it in mid-air. It suddenly exploded. Huge chunks of rock were flying towards the three of them at Mach speeds. Suddenly, as if they hit a bullet proof clear glass wall, the rocks thudded harmlessly to the ground only a few feet in front of them.

  Paul turned to them and said, “I want you to understand, that for right now, all I can do is show you the things I can do, and help you to understand the potential you will one day have, but there is some major preparations that you must go through before I can actually teach you to do this.” He next made a ball of fire, about the size of a soccer ball, appear in front of them. He projected it forward toward a tall stone pillar. It grew in size and intensity as it moved toward the wall of solid rock. The ball was four feet across just before impact. To the amazement of his two observers, there was a perfectly formed 4 foot hole, all the way through the pillar. There was no explosion, just a clean hole burned all the way through. Even more amazing, there was no visible sign of damage to anything on the other side. He turned with a grin and said, “Wow! I did it! I used to burn holes for a good fifty yards behind what I aimed for. I’ve been working on my control so I can eliminate any possible collateral damage.” Amber and Hunter looked at Paul, not quite knowing what to say to a man who had just blown up a boulder as big as house and burned a hole through solid rock and simultaneously replied, “Cool.”

  Just as they had proclaimed his, coolness, Paul levitated the three of them to the top of a cliff overlooking the valley. After they were safely positioned, he told them, “This is a good place to show you what I do on my training runs through the mountains. You should have a pretty good view from here. It’s not my intentions to try and show-off for my grandchildren; I once again only want you two to understand what I am capable of and what I hope you will one day be capable of.” Without a word, he turned and leaped 250 feet across a crevice landing on a narrow pillar 100 feet below. Without even a pause, he leaped to a solid rock face 50 feet across from it and began to climb what looked like a smooth wall, somehow finding hand holds along the way. He moved like Spiderman for nearly 100 feet to the top. Next he faced a gap of over 300 feet. Instead of Jumping or teleporting across, he levitated boulders from the valley floor and formed stepping stones suspended in mid-air as he leaped from boulder to boulder across the wide ravine. He soon turned to head back and as he leaped through the air he would throw fireballs simultaneously, never missing his target below or in front of him. When he landed next to them after running perpendicular for over 100 yards on the mountainside above, he was not even out of breath. Amber and Hunter stood looking at him, speechless. Hunter began to smile and finally Amber smiled and asked jokingly, “So, what else can you do?” Paul, knowing she was joking, couldn’t help but play along, as he hung his head dejected, and said, “Sorry, that’s all I’ve got.” He paused then added, “Unless you count this.” As he finished his apology, clouds formed overhead, on a perfectly clear day, lighting began to strike rock formations below. In the middle of the valley they witnessed a tornado forming, whirling with unbelievable power, actually hurling car sized rocks in its path then it stopped, just as suddenly as it began. Paul smiled and asked, “How’s that?” He jumped the three of them back to the ship and this time it was Amber’s turn to be pilot. As they began to hover above the tree line, Hunter told Amber, “Watch-out for the mirrors when you go through the hanger door.” He got the classic sisterly response, “Oh, grow up.”

  This was going to be a big afternoon. Paul’s Mother and two uncles were coming out of the tanks. In the next few days the population of Verron was going to triple. As they were approaching Mountain City, Paul told them, “It might be best if you don’t mention what happened today. The new arrivals aren’t quite ready to know about it. Feel free to talk with anyone who was already here. Every one of them can do the same; who do you think taught me.” Hunter and Amber looked at each other, finding it hard to believe that everyone on this planet could do what they just witnessed. Hunter asked, “I don’t believe they can do everything you can do. Otherwise you would not have beaten every one of them in Jxansa Gha and they would be going with you on your runs.” He realized his grandchildren were very observant and replied, “They were really good teachers, and I learn fast.”

  Paul was beginning to get nervous and excited at the same time. To have his Mother without arthritis or heart problems, Uncle Mike without Alzheimer’s, and Uncle Les with all his physical faculties, it was going to be exciting. He looked at Amber as she smoothly landed in the hanger bay, saying, “It’s a good thing these spaceships don’t have mirrors.” He got the “eye-roll” of the century. He laughed and said, “You look just like your mother when you do that.”

  Katelyn, Chase, Daniel and Tala were waiting in the hanger when they returned, anxious to see if Hunter or Amber or both would fly them out to practice in the trainers, and to help Marcus figure out just what needed to be done on the Speeders. They piled into the transport without Hunter or Amber ever getting out of their seats. Paul climbed out and told them, “You’ve been there enough times now that you should have no problem finding your way. If you have any questions, just say Lucy out loud. She can speak to you on either your headset or over the ship communications link.” He watched them pile in and start chatting like he wasn’t even there and in minutes they were out the hanger door. Verron sure was a different place with kids around. He was thrilled they seemed to get along so well. He could tell that Hunter and Amber were born leaders and made certain that no one was left out. He smiled as he walked toward the elevators; it was almost time to get his Mom out-of-the-tank. He couldn’t help but grin at how many times she had gotten her boys out-of-the-tank.

  Paul entered the Medical Center and was greeted by Zimuel, Tlase and Yadvega. He asked, “
How long?” Tlase answered, “Actually we’re already finished with your Mom and her brothers, however, we’ve had some surprising results on several of the others and the Analytical Computer indicates that in the next hour your two brothers, their wives and your friend Clark will be finished as well. The new computer programming and the improved nanotechnology in the solutions used dictates the speed of the rejuvenation process. Those remaining look as if they will be out by tomorrow afternoon. A sudden sense of dread spread over Paul. He thought, “What if they all decide to take their new health and return to Earth?” He tried not to think about the possibility, but he really couldn’t imagine how he was going to make his plans work without the support of his family and friends. He realized at that moment that a part of him was still that little boy who wanted to please everyone and that no matter how much he accomplished, he always felt inadequate. He said a short prayer asking God to help him to have faith in the abilities and the plan that He had given him. This afternoon, the Nation of Verron would truly be founded and Paul’s ability to lead put to the test.

  He decided that he did not want to be there when his family came out of the tanks. He didn’t want to see the blue/green slime covering their bodies, and caked in their full heads of hair, or watch them throw-up the breathable solution in their lungs. He felt like the father who had a weak stomach or the man that waited until the wife and baby were both cleaned-up before going in to see them. He also knew that part of his feeling was his desire not to embarrass his Mom and her brothers. He turned to leave and asked, “I hope you three don’t mind handling this without me. I’m a little sensitive about seeing my Mom like I know she’s gonna look when she comes out of the tank. I will, however, go up the kitchen and start getting some stuff together for them to drink and eat. I think I’ve figured out how to make that vile tasting drink you made me drink almost tolerable.” Zimuel gave him a questioning look as he finished, “Bananas and Pineapple Juice with two packs of Sugar Twin. Blend that in and it covers the five-day-old rotten meat taste pretty well.” Tlase heard him and threw an empty Diet Dr. Pepper can at him, saying, “Very funny, it doesn’t taste all that bad.” Paul laughed just as he exited the door and replied, “Before I came along you Xhondarians thought that stuff you eat was delicious. Now that you know what real food taste like, I dare you to take a swig of that stuff now.” When he was gone, Zimuel was shaking his head in agreement.

  Paul was sitting in the kitchen when the first person to step in was his Mom. His immediate thought was, “She really does look like Dr. Crusher on Star Trek.” For a moment he just stared at her speechless, as tears rolled down his cheek. Only a few days ago she was preparing to die, now she was prepared to live long enough to see her great-grandchildren have great-grandchildren; thick red shoulder length hair, clear blue eyes and looking like a healthy athletic 40 year-old, fantastic, except for that Star Trek styled blue jumpsuit. She was still regaining her strength but managed to give him a big Mamma hug. He led her to a kitchen chair with an energy drink waiting on her then he turned to see her two brothers looking just as young and as excited to be here as she was. Uncle Mike once again had a head of thick black hair and stood at his full six feet; lean, solid and very alert. Uncle Les was beside him, a solid, thin and erect 6 ft.-2in. with a full head of hair and those same blue eyes that ran on his Mother’s side of the family. Sherry, Les’ wife of 35 years, was at his side, looking better than Paul had ever seen her before; looking five years younger than her 40 year-old husband. Paul appreciated the absence of the kitchens usual crowd. He was enjoying this time alone with a healthy pain free Mother, an Uncle who now knew who he was and an Uncle who had totally recovered from the effects of his numerous strokes.

  They were on their second drink and nibbling cautiously on some high energy cereal bars, when Paul heard behind him, “I sure hope you saved some for us, we’re starved.” He saw his Mother’s eyes widen in disbelief just before he turned to see a 170 pound version of his 35 year-old big brother. Joe had always had a stout, solid carriage, broad in the shoulders and been thick in his chest. He had a full head of hair and looked like he could still wrestle like he did in college. His younger brother Kary looked like he was in good enough health to be back in the Army Rangers again. He was about the same size and frame as Paul, but a few inches taller. Paul had never paid any attention to how attractive his brother’s wives were. Then he couldn’t help but notice Clark towering over them from behind, all 6ft.-5in. of him. He couldn’t help but smile looking at this bear of a man. He had never known Clark as a young man, so to see him looking fit, trim and not bald for the first time, he realized that he was not just a big tough man, but he was handsome as well. Paul asked, “Now that you have hair on your head are you going to get rid of that ridiculous beard?” Clark rubbed his face and replied, “It would be a shame to hide a face this good looking. No need to have a beard to cover a double chin when I no longer have a double chin. What’s to eat?”

  These nine people could really put away some food. Paul remembered how he ate everything he could get his hands on when he came out of the tank. They were working on energy drink number 3 or 4 and some of them had progressed to something more solid. There was deli-cut smoked turkey and sugar cured ham for sandwiches, mayo and tomatoes and fresh wholegrain bread. A couple of them had asked for a cup of coffee. The conversation was filled with memories of brothers and their sister, who had not seen each other in years, and when they had last seen each other, none were healthy enough to carry-on a conversation. Everyone at the table was constantly commenting about how good the others looked. The husbands were all looking at their wives like they had not looked at them in years, liking very much what they saw. Clark, the only one there who wasn’t family, was able to share stories about growing up on a ranch in Wyoming with Les, Mike and Paul’s Mom, who had also grown up on a farm in Tennessee during the 1930s. All but two of the men were veterans, so there were war stories to tell as well. Before long everyone seemed like part of the family.

  They were finishing up sandwiches when Michael and his wife Rachael, along with Marcus and his wife Danyel entered the kitchen. The two grandsons stared speechless. Danyel began to cry, she had been the one who had spent the most time with Paul’s Mom, taking her to doctor’s appointments and the grocery store, bringing the great-grandchildren to visit; later visiting her in the hospital regularly. Rachel just shook her head and said, “No Way!” several times, as she looked around the room at Paul’s brothers and Uncles and Mom. Mom was feeling stronger now and leaped up to hug her grandsons. Everyone was eating and talking and enjoying a family reunion like none before, when suddenly, from down the hall they could hear the talking and laughter of children having a great time. As they came down the hall, they heard Chase yell, “Uncle Paul I made level 8!” Followed by Katelyn’s, “So what, so did I.” They heard Amber say, “You better hurry and get those Speeders ready.” Then they entered the kitchen and a hush fell over the kids. Katelyn, Chase and Tala where almost confused about who these people where. They had seen pictures of a younger great-grandmother and of a younger Kary in his military uniform, but thought their eyes were deceiving them. Then Kary said, “The brats don’t know what to think. Speechless is a nice change.” There was no longer any doubt as they rushed in to hug and kiss their Papaw and Nana and Grandma-ma. Hunter and Amber looked on in amazement at these people who had been around for a long time, some almost a hundred years, looking younger than their Mom. Paul saw their faces, feeling like they were being left out. They were too young the last time they had seen her to remember Paul’s Mom. He indicated for them to come over to the table, saying, “Your Mom and Grandparents will be out tomorrow afternoon. We’re running a little ahead of schedule. Do you two remember my Mother, Uncles or brothers? You were only 1 and 4 last time you say them, so it’s not likely?” He introduced his grandchildren to everyone there with a proud smile on his face.

  Suddenly Tala, dressed in her favorite pink outfit and pink ribbons in d
ark red pigtails, blurted out with a tone of fear, “If we live here, do we have to have to wear those ugly blue jumpsuits?” Paul’s Mother spoke out first, “These things are pretty awful. I do believe we need to go shopping. Would you like to help me pick-out some new clothes?” Suddenly, the women were planning a shopping trip. Joe spoke out, “Paul I hope you plan on paying me pretty well. I’ve seen that look on Sharon’s face before. I’ll be broke when she gets back.” Paul looked around the table at four women with a new lease on life and replied, “It’s on me.” Immediately Tala asked, “Us too?” Paul shook his head in amusement, “Life on Verron is about to undergo some major changes” he thought then joked, “Count your blessings that we don’t have any blue jumpsuits in children sizes.”

  Paul’s friends for the past two years showed up shortly, making certain the others had time to visit. They split up and escorted everyone to their rooms and agreed that they would wait until tomorrow night when the others would be out of the rejuvenation tanks to have a big celebration feast. They decided what time they would meet for supper and went their separate ways. Katelyn, Chase and Tala were not about to let their grandparents or great-grandma-ma get away, so they headed for Michael and Marcus’ apartments to visit a little longer. Hunter and Amber looked lost when the crowd broke up. They followed Paul from the kitchen as he headed for the gym for a little workout before supper. At first he didn’t realize they were behind him. When he did he signaled them to join him. They immediately caught up. Amber informed him, “We got my Speeder working and should have the others ready by the time we have to leave.” She then began to sob heavily, saying, “We don’t want to leave. We love it here. We want to be like you.” He gave them a group hug and replied, “For some reason, I think this is going to work out just fine. I have enough faith in God to believe He would have never allowed you two back in my life just to take you away again. Let’s all three be praying about it. God will give us the peace of mind we will need to deal with whatever comes our way.” He looked at both of them and asked, “Want to join me?”