Planet of Peace

by Jerry Belvo

  Dukes had been charged with cyber-terrorism, stalking, and discharging firearms in a public place. He admitted his guilt and his attorney got his jail time reduced to one year and 100 hours of community service.

  Jeff had been promoted to the head of his department. His trips had become sporadic but he continued to keep in touch with the various charities he visited throughout the world. He often went downtown to the shelters administering hope to the homeless. The star children were still meeting regularly.

  *

  Sarina graduated from college the first Friday in June and their wedding would be in two weeks. She was planning it with the help of her mother as Jeff was suddenly too busy at work, or was he getting cold feet?

  She knew Jeff had strong feelings for her, but still kept her at a distance. One evening at his apartment she confronted him. He again reminded her that he couldn’t guarantee her safety.

  ASarina, if someone tries to get to me through you and they hurt you, I would never forgive myself. You have seen what happened in the past. It has quieted down for now, but what if some crazies or even the government starts harassing us again? They could hurt you, especially if I’m not around to protect you. When we have children, think what they could do to them.@

  She spoke up. AWe can’t live based on what has happened in the past. I’m more concerned about the present. Without it there’s no future.@ Finally she inquired. AWhat do people on Dos do if they want to get married?@

  AI asked John about people marrying on Dos. He told me they didn’t have such a ceremony. Without the need to have children, marriage was a mute point. They do have a ceremony between two people who pledge eternal love and loyalty. The pledge is created at sunrise signifying a new beginning.@

  AWhy don’t we do that,@ she asked? Jeff smiled and she knew she had finally cleared the obstacle that was keeping them apart. He leaned over to her as they sat on the couch in his apartment, and gave her a long passionate kiss, then another and another. As on cue the lights dimmed leaving the two lovers alone in silence.

  The next morning over coffee they made their final plans for the ceremony. She suggested they keep it as much a secret as possible, and would tell only a few people. It would be a surprise.

  Bobby, Heidi and their year old daughter had moved back to Denver so that Heidi could be with her ailing mother. She was pregnant with her second child. Bobby turned his website over to another person, and was working for a computer company in Boulder. Jeff was happy to have his friend back and was looking forward to the two couples spending time together.

  The night before the wedding a dinner party was held for close friends. At the dinner Jeff toasted Bobby. AI want to tell all of you how much I appreciate what Bobby has done for me and for star children these last few years. He is solely responsible for organizing us as a unit on this planet. His website gave us an opportunity to meet one another and not feel so alone.@ Looking directly at Bobby he said, AThank you, Bobby, and thanks for being my friend.@

  Bobby had never had this experience before, and he didn’t know quite how to react. He began to stutter, but Heidi took his hand and kissed him on the cheek. His inner being had needed this testimonial for a long time. AI was doing only what anyone would do,@ he replied, and the group applauded. They disbursed about midnight.

  *

  The wedding invitations said the ceremony would be held at an undisclosed location at two o=clock, and guests were to assemble at the Robert=s home at 12 o’clock the next day. Gifts filled the dining room and the guests were eagerly waiting the final moment. When the grandfather clock chimed twelve the guests were handed maps with instructions, and were told to car pool to the location of the ceremony.

  Out front a limousine and motorcycle escorts were waiting to whisk the happy couple to the event. After everyone was safely buckled in their cars the motorcade wormed its way north on the interstate, and continued in that direction for an hour before turning towards the mountains.

  Eric Roberts asked his wife why they didn’t just go to the church like everyone else. AWhy all this fuss about riding together?@

  AEric, you are just old-fashion. This is a Dossian wedding,@ she replied.

  Several cars contained star children and their families. All were excited to find out what a Dossian wedding was like. Julie was especially excited as Jeff was now like a brother to her.

  Sarina wasn’t wearing white which Julie thought odd, but the outfit looked great on her and really accented her figure. A strapless sarong in lavender and lime green, it had a Polynesian flair. Jeff was wearing light colored slacks, a sport jacket, and bow tie.

  The motorcade wound its way into the foothills, through tall evergreen trees and scrub oak bushes until it arrived at the shore of a lake. There the cars parked and the guests got out. Some of the women, although told to dress casually were in heels and cautiously made their way to the shore of the lake. It would be an hour before the ceremony, and florists were busy setting up the scene with flowers and garlands. A platform was hastily constructed and decorated while the guests inter-mingled.

  A catering truck had followed the motorcade and headed for the deserted cabin on the hill setting up tables for food and drink. When it was done the chef sought their approval. The wedding cake featured a couple in western clothes under a rainbow. The tables were set for a traditional mountain picnic. Jeff and Sarina were pleased.

  In a few minutes the crowd was enjoying themselves and the party began. The children had found a new playground in which to demonstrate their star child talents. They lost no time accumulating souvenirs including dirt. They ran in and out of the same cabin Jeff had played in as a child, the cabin where Bobby and Heidi spent their first night together, and the first place where Jeff had transported Sarina.

  Julie=s oldest boy spotted a chipmunk scurrying across a rock searching for scraps. When it ran from him he used his mind to raise it from the ground and was slowly drawing it towards him when his dad heard the commotion. The other kids were eagerly awaiting a chance to play with it. The poor chipmunk was scared and shook as it was transported through the air. AJames, remember what I told you. Put that chipmunk down. None of those games today,@ his father commanded.

  AHeck, I can’t have any fun,@ the boy replied lowering the animal to the ground. It quickly scurried into a hole.

  Storm thought it odd that the couple would be cutting their wedding cake before the ceremony, but there was no tradition for this kind of wedding anyway. Maybe it was the wine, but she was glad she had taken Sarina=s advice and not worn heels.

  Jones, Cleaver and their daughter were happy to have been invited. When she told Storm their daughter was adopted from Pakistan, Leslie fussed over the child. Jones, in the meantime was frequenting the punch bowl.

  Finally it was time for the happy couple to cut the cake. They posed as the digital cameras flashed their approval, and fed each other the first piece, whereupon the caterers served it to the guests.

  Bobby toasted Jeff and Sarina as they stood on the platform by the lake. Carefully trying not to stutter he said. AMay you find happiness and joy in your search for pe-pe-pe-peace. May you have many ch-ch-children,@ he slurred. Heidi gave him a look of reassurance making him smile. Music suddenly erupted throughout the woods. It was ethereal, full of peace and contentment. Bobby had placed small black amplifiers around the area rigged to go on when he touched his cell phone.

  Then Charles and Marilyn Martin stepped up to the platform beside Sarina=s parents. The rest gathered around as he turned to face the congregation. AI have no script for the uniting of my son and his chosen partner,@ Charles said. AI guess I’m going to have to wing it. Here goes.@ He cleared his throat and began.

  AJeff, your Mom and I have enjoyed having you in our lives all these years, but now it’s time to give you to Sarina, your chosen partner, to enjoy. You are making a commitment to honor
her for the rest of your life, to care for her as long as you both shall live.

  Sarina, I give you my son. Take good care of him and love him as we have loved him.@ He stepped forward and hugged his son, took his son=s hand, and placed it on Sarina=s hand, then stepped back. Next Jeff=s mother stepped forward and repeated her husband’s motion.

  Now it was Sarina=s dad turn. He stepped up on the platform and said to Jeff, AHere is my only daughter. I want you to take good care of her. She is our gift to you and we will miss having her in our home.@ He hugged Sarina, took her hand and placed it on Jeff=s and stepped back. Finally he mother stepped up and repeated her husband’s motion.

  Jeff looked into Sarina=s eyes and said, AI commit myself to you, my love, my honor, and integrity in sickness and in health for the rest of my life. Will you be my partner?@

  AI will,@ she replied. He took a ring from his pocket and slipped in on Sarina=s finger.

  AJeff, I commit myself, my love, my honor, and my integrity, in sickness and in health for the rest of my life. Will you accept me as your partner?@

  AI will,@ he replied. Sarina took a ring, and slipped it on Jeff=s finger.

  Charles turned to the crowd and said. ADo any of you have any reason for Jeff and Sarina should not to be joined together in matrimony?@ There was total silence.

  Charles turned to the couple and said, AI guess you’re husband and wife. Jeff you may kiss your bride.@

  Sarina stood there eyes closed waiting for his tender kiss as Jeff put his arms around her and touched her lips with his. The crowd waited in anticipation of what would happen next. The newlyweds began to fade. Eyes blinked, a few gasps were heard, and the couple completely disappeared.

  The parents were relieved it was over, and the star children laughed. Others, not prepared for a disappearing act were confused, and looked all around for them thinking they might have hidden behind a bush or rock. After they were told what had happened they, too, relaxed and enjoyed the celebration. The happy couple had gone on their honeymoon.

  Somewhere in the South Pacific Jeff and Sarina found themselves on a deserted island beach still in their embrace watching the sunrise over the ocean.

  Epilogue

  Sarina was covering a story for her new employer one evening when Jeff felt an urgent need to go to Dos. The journey had become routine and John, as usual, was waiting to see him when he arrived.

  AGood to see you again, Jeff.@ John greeted him. AI’m glad you are here. We need your assistance.@ John=s smile quickly faded, and Jeff knew something was on his mind.

  AWhat=s up,@ he asked?

  John was silent for a moment then spoke. AI recently met with the High Council at the Space Center. They want your help, you and the other star children on your planet.@

  AThis sounds serious. What’s going on?@

  AIt is serious. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out, but your civilization has yet another set of spirits evolving on your planet.@

  AWhat’s so bad about that, John? Why are you so upset?@ He hadn’t seen John so worked up about anything before. This was new to him. He waited patiently for him to speak.

  AI should start from the beginning,@ John finally responded. ASome time ago a solar system collapsed when the sun died out causing the planets, one of them inhabited, to break apart. This happened while I was still living on Earth. I wrote about it in my journal. Anyway, the debris went in all directions and some of it came in the direction of your solar system. A vessel carrying highly evolved spirits sailed ahead of the debris landing on Earth. Not finding Earth right for them, they proceeded to Venus to evolve there.

  Shortly thereafter a vessel without form landed in the western United States and sunk below the surface of the earth. The spirits on board were not highly evolved. They were intelligent but had no form, nor did they have the five senses of humans. I haven’t told you, but being born into a physical body isn’t the only way spirits from another planet can gain access to human forms. They can slowly ease their way into the minds of the mentally weak. Once they get control they use their bodies to do whatever they want, and if they have children their children will be aligned to their ways.@

  AThis is serious,@ Jeff remarked. AWhat should we do?@

  ABe on the lookout for anything unusual, like savage beatings, or unprovoked anger. These people will lack moral fiber and conscience. There is much petulance on your planet already, so trying to spot these spirits will be quite a feat. But, you have to try before their numbers multiply. They believe they will be teleported back to their home planet when they die and are unaware it no longer exists. Anyway, we are here to help in any way we can. I wish you good luck.@

  Just when Jeff thought his life was going to be peaceful, his future was already being written. He thanked John for his prophesy and left Dos.