Planet of Peace

by Jerry Belvo

  AIt’s agents like you who have helped us restrain these star children. Using the new serum you have effectively slowed down their teleporting at will. When a person can disappear it is hard to hold them accountable, and it’s of national interest we continue this endeavor. Are there any more star children to administer serum to,@ he asked?

  AYes,@ Jones replied. AWe need to catch one more and we’ll have this project completed by the end of the month.@

  AGood. If we can’t control them, we’ll have to take stronger measures. Get my drift?@ The Chief spoke in a controlling manner, letting the agents know he was the ultimate authority.

  AWhat about Jeff Martin?@ Cleaver asked.

  AFor the time being, he’s being held outside the country. If we’re lucky they will keep him permanently,@ the Chief replied.

  AWill they kill him?@ Cleaver wanted to know.

  The Chief replied. AWhatever it takes to subdue this group will be done. Thanks again for the tip-off when he left the country. By the way, Jones, we are expanding your territory to the whole state.@

  ABut, Chief,@ Jones responded, ACleaver and I can barely handle metro Denver.@

  AThat’s why I’m adding another agent. He comes to us compliments the Denver Police Department. He’s an ex-cop. I want you to assign him to work with Cleaver while you set up the rest of your territory. When you are ready we will add more agents.@

  AThank you, Chief, I won’t let you down,@ Jones said smiling at his new promotion. He was thinking this was something he never would have accomplished if he had stayed in D.C.

  *

  Two days had passed and still no word from the State Department about Jeff=s internment. Sarina thought, ‘What if he’s already dead?’ A bad thought, she wasn’t about to give up hope, but she would have to face whatever happened. That evening she thought about meditating and talking to John on Dos. She needed some guidance, but the crystal globe was at Jeff=s parents home.

  She called Jeff’s parents and went to see them. After telling them the whole story of the trip to Bali she asked if she could borrow Jeff’s crystal. They got it for her and she took it home. Not sure how it worked she relaxed in her bedroom holding the crystal in both hands trying to recall John=s face.

  Sarina felt as though she was being pulled across space, between dimensions, and through energy fields. At one point a wave of something caught her in its flow and deposited her in another quadrant, but everything finally settled down. She was in a place totally foreign to her and mentally called out John=s name. Again she focused on Dos and she found herself whizzing through another dimension and waves of color fearing to stop less she got stuck, unable to find her way back. Amazing colors passed by her like a streak of light as she continued on. Finally everything stopped and John was standing in front of her. Anyone who was not psychic would have abandoned their efforts, and let go of the sphere with the first motion, but not Sarina, she had traveled in this manner before and knew the routine. She stayed with it until she reached her goal.

  AYou took the long way,@ he remarked. ANext time just go through the crystal sphere. That’s what it’s for. It’s a vortex.@ She hadn’t thought of it and had visualized herself going across the galaxy to his planet. AIt’s a shortcut, trust me.@

  AJohn, I have some terrible news for you,@ she started. AJeff has been arrested in a foreign country. They detained him because he healed a little boy. He’s in serious trouble, and I can’t help him. What should I do?@

  He felt her concern. AThat’s a tall order. There’s really very little you can do. It’s all up to him.@

  AIsn’t there anything,@ she begged?

  AYes there is. You can pray that he achieves his destiny.@

  ABut he needs protection from harm,@ she pleaded.

  AHe knows where his protection lies. It lies with the Oracle. As long as he remembers that, no harm can come to him. The Oracle is the light, his light, and as long as he believes, he will accomplish whatever he sets out to do.@

  AThen he won’t die,@ she asked?

  ANo, Sarina, but, if they can make him doubt his immortality, they can succeed. Do you understand?@

  AYes. Thank you so much for seeing me. Now I know what I must do.@

  John suggested. AWhen you go back visualize yourself coming out of the sphere and you will be home. No need to retrace your steps.@

  She thanked him, inhaled deeply, taking in energy and visualized herself back in her room. She floated out of the sphere and opened her eyes. John had renewed her faith in Jeff and in herself. Think positively that Jeff will survive. Placing the crystal globe back in its box, she decided to contact Bobby in Australia. According to computer time there were sixteen hours difference, and he should be at his computer about this time. She turned on her computer and went directly to the web sending Bobby an instant message waiting for a response.

  Bobby, this is Sarina. Have you heard what happened to Jeff? She waited for an answer. A minute later it came.

  I heard about it on the news. Is he going to be okay? Bobby was on line.

  I do not know. Can you put something on your website that would call attention to his plight? We need to stir up as much publicity as possible. The public has to know. Maybe some other star child can help.

  I do not know, but I will try and get back to you. I am signing off.

  Thanks for your help. Sarina.

  *

  In Brisbane, Australia, Heidi entered the den to find Bobby at his computer. Startled, thinking Heidi was still at the doctor=s office, he quickly stopped his transmission. AWhat are you doing,@ she asked?

  AOh, I’m just fiddling around with things I’m working on,@ he replied.

  AI thought I saw the word, Sarina, on the screen. Have you been in contact with her? You know I don’t want you to have anything to do with Jeff and his friends. I’m adamant about you severing all connections, especially now that we’re going to have a baby.@ She smiled when she gave him the news.

  AYou’re pregnant?@ Bobby’s eyes lit up, jumping up and hugging Heidi. AI’m going to be a Daddy!@

  AYes, we’re going to have a baby,@ she replied.

  ACan I get you anything? Do you need to sit down?@ Arm in arm they walked to the kitchen for something cool to drink. Heidi was enjoying the attention for a change. Bobby spent so much time at his computer he hardly had any time left for her.

  It had taken the young couple a while to get used to their new country. Although they missed their families back in Denver they realized it was best staying away from those who sought to do them harm. Heidi had become very protective of him, and found it difficult to keep him from expressing his freedom on the computer. Sometimes she thought he loved it more than her, and was concerned that he was still in contact with his past. She decided to ask him point blank whether he had truly severed ties or was still sending e-mails to the States. ABobby, answer me truthfully. Was that Sarina you were talking to?@

  He hesitated a moment, went to the sink to wash his hands and get a refill on his lemonade. AWhat did you say, Sugar,@ he said back to her?

  AYou know what I said. Was that Sarina from Denver you were communicating with?@ She looked straight in his eyes, and meant business. No way around it.

  AYes, it was, Sugar.@

  AWhat else have you been doing behind my back? And don=t Sugar me?@

  Like a boy who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Bobby told her everything about the web site for star children, and about his concern for Jeff=s life. AHeidi, he’s my friend. I have to do something. I can’t sit by while he’s being tortured or killed. I couldn’t live knowing when he needed me I wasn’t there for him.@ He tried to stay calm, but his anxiety was beginning to act up, and he went to the bathroom to get some pills.

  She followed after him. ABobby, you betrayed me. You betrayed my trust. You lied
to me. I thought we had gotten away from trouble. Now, you are courting it all over again. Maybe I should just move back to Denver and stay with my folks.@ She was very upset and started to cry.

  ASugar, I’m sorry, but this is very important. I don’t want to lose you, but my friendship with Jeff is at stake here. Do you want to live with a man who doesn’t help his best friend after all the times he has helped me? All my life I’ve felt like a man without a backbone, now it’s time to stand up for something I believe in. What good would I be to you and to my kid if I didn’t?@ Nothing seemed to do any good. Heidi=s feelings had been hurt. She stomped into the bedroom and slammed the door.

  Bobby shut down his computer. That was it for the day. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything until his anxiety went away, which meant until he made peace with Heidi. He wanted a drink, but he hadn’t touched alcohol since he left the States. Besides, if Heidi smelled alcohol on his breath, she would leave him for good, and he would never see his child. He was really in a jam. What should he do? He prayed that Heidi would understand.

  *

  Back in Denver Sarina called and left a message for Julie. It was early evening before the call was returned. Julie had been working at Children=s Hospital, and suggested she visit her later that evening. When she arrived Julie was putting her kids to bed. ACome on in and make yourself at home,@ she hollered from the bedroom. She went to the kitchen, filled a glass with water, and sat at the table waiting for Julie to appear. In a few minutes she joined her.

  AI had to see you,@ Sarina began. AYou know about Jeff, don=t you?@

  AHe’s in jail in a foreign country, right?@

  AYes, he was arrested at the airport as we were leaving to come back home. They detained him and took him to Jakarta. The State Department is trying to get him released.@

  AI have my doubts on that,@ Julie replied. AI don’t trust the government any more, not after what they did to me. How did it happen,@ Julie asked?

  AI understand that he healed some kid at a Mission and was seen by a local worker,@ Sarina replied.

  AWell, he can’t do that. He’s lost his ability, just like me,@ Julie replied.

  AApparently Keith Langley, the missionary in Bali, verified the healing.@

  AHe’s getting his power back,@ Sarina said excitedly.

  AThat means I should have my power back. If that’s true we’ll have to guard it with our lives, so the AIA doesn’t find out.@

  She immediately had to test her skill. Eying Sarina=s glass she raised it and mentally moved it to the sink and poured it out. Then, she returned the glass to the table. AThis is great! I don’t know why I didn’t try it earlier. I just assumed I lost it for good.@

  AI’m happy for you Julie,@ she replied.

  Julie asked. AHave you checked the website for star children? It’s getting quite interesting. People all over the world are getting up in arms about the harassment their governments are perpetrating. The public wants us to be able to heal the sick and live in peace.@

  Sarina=s ears perked up. AThe public, you say?@

  AYes the public. Why is that so important?@

  AIf enough people get involved, governments won’t be able to do anything, and they will have to release Jeff. Have you communicated with any other star children in the area?

  AI have talked to several of them.@

  AHave they all been given the serum?@

  ANo, but I told them about it, why?@ Then Julie’s eyes lit up. AIt will be wearing off for them as well. I’ll go to them. Maybe if we get enough star children involved we can figure out some way of getting Jeff released.@

  Sarina interrupted her. AAnd I will call the newspaper tomorrow to tell them all about star children, and why Jeff was really arrested. We are taking our case to the people. When you get your friends together, can I be included? I don’t have the gift, but maybe I can help in some way.@

  ASure,@ Julie replied. ALet’s have a cup of green tea to seal our pact.@

  AI would feel better if you made the tea by hand rather than with your mind,@ Sarina suggested. They both laughed.

  AJust to please you.@

  ALet’s celebrate,@ Sarina literally shouted. She heard the shuffle of little feet and saw two sleepy youngsters standing in the doorway wondering what was going on. Julie got up and ushered them back to the bedroom.

  *

  Jeff was having a dream as he lay on the thin mattress pad in the jail. He thought he was on Dos talking to John. A voice said. AEverything is going according to plan. Don’t give up hope.@ The words were on his lips when he awoke, and he repeated them over and over. It seemed to give him strength to persevere. He had met the two Frenchmen who were being held. They were in the same fix as he, powerless to teleport themselves out. At least they weren’t being tortured. He wondered if anyone was going to rescue them. At least Sarina was safe and he was thankful for that.

  *

  Sarina rose early. She stayed up most of the night formulating plans for her going public with a star child campaign. Her mom joined her in the kitchen. AWhat are you doing up so early,@ she asked yawning and stretching? Without waiting for an answer she added, AI’ll make some coffee.@

  AThanks, Mom,@ she replied, papers strewed all over the kitchen table. AI had so much on my mind I couldn’t sleep.@

  Her mom noticed the papers and remarked. AYou have picked up my habit of spreading papers everywhere when you work. When I was in college I studied in the coffee shops. I would find the biggest table and spread out. That’s where I met your Grandfather. All the chairs were taken except the one at my table. He asked to sit down, and I stacked my papers to make room for him. He introduced himself and we’ve been friends ever since. In fact I met your Dad through him. What are you doing?@

  AI’m formulating a campaign to get star children some publicity. Do you have any ideas?@

  ALet me think a minute. My mind isn’t working yet,@ her mom answered. AI have a friend at the newspaper, I’ll call her, and maybe she can help. I’d be happy to help you with your campaign. I need a new project.@ She sat at the table and went over Sarina=s notes and added a few her own.

  Her dad came into the kitchen and saw what they were doing. AI’m late for work. I’ll get something to eat on the way. See you at dinner time.@ He kissed his wife and daughter then left through the back door.

  They sat together bouncing ideas off each other. Mid-morning Mr. Bell called and asked if he could see her as soon as possible.

  Arriving at the Foundation Sarina was ushered into Mr. Bell=s office. A woman was with him. She immediately remembered her from the Homeless March, and from Jeff=s graduation party. AI know you. You’re Leslie Storm!@

  Storm rose to shake her hand and they sat down for a discussion.

  It was Mr. Bell who spoke first. ASarina, I asked you here to meet Mrs. Storm. Leslie is the lobby for our Foundation. I’ve asked her help us get Jeff released. She knows a lot of politicians and if they apply some pressure in the right places he’ll have a better chance of coming home soon.@

  AMrs. Storm, I would appreciate any help you can give us. My mom and I are working on a campaign to stop the harassment and intimidation of star children in this country. It’s against their basic freedoms.@

  AYou are perfectly correct. Jeff is a fine human being. He has gifts that are the envy of all of us, and he should be allowed to use them. But there are those in government that see this as a threat. In politics we have to look at who has the most to gain and who has the most to lose. That’s just the way it is.

  Sarina responded. “I thought by exposing star children to the public maybe we could affect some change. They’re born on this planet and are not aliens any more than you or me.”

  AI know,@ Mrs. Storm replied. AUnfortunately the powers that be don’t agree. I’m going to call in a few favors to see if I can
speed things up. I have to be going. I have another meeting to attend yet this morning. It was nice to meet you.@ She rose, straightened her outfit and left the office.

  Mr. Bell turned to Sarina. AWe’ll keep working on it. I’m proud of you the way you are taking control of the situation. There are certain things we can’t do because companies like ours rely on the whims of the government. The public, however, will eventually win out. Keep up the good work and we’ll get Jeff back. Let me know if you hear anything.@ He didn’t want to discourage her, but he personally felt the press may only laugh at her. Who would believe such a preposterous story about star children?

  AThanks Mr. Bell, I will.@ Sarina left his office and headed home. Deep in thought, she reasoned. ‘It’s not about aliens. The fear of aliens is outdated. It doesn’t play well anymore. Most people would welcome them in their midst. This is the twenty-first century. It has to be something else. Star Children are harassed, intimidated and suppressed because certain organizations see them as a threat, but which ones? Who wants to keep Jeff from healing people, or from teleporting himself?= Suddenly she knew. A smile crossed her face and she wanted to shout. The pieces were beginning to fit together. But, how could she get them to play their hand? AI’ve got to get Jeff released first,@ she affirmed out loud. She speeded up to get back home as soon as possible. She had a mission to fulfill.

  Chapter 15

  The following week Julie held the first meeting of the Denver Star Children. As promised she invited Sarina and six adult star children. When it came time for her to speak she thanked all of them for allowing her to participate and told them about Jeff=s arrest in Bali.

  Then Julie asked the group if anyone had not been given the serum. Only Travis Kincaid raised his hand. Having read about the serum on the website, he had carefully avoided the two agents who were tailing him. He was married and had several children. Julie told him that they would threaten him with taking away his children as they did with her, if he didn’t take the shot, and she told him about the serum=s potential side effects.