Korban continues. “The warriors continued to pursue us as well. We hid ourselves for a while in the cavity of a rock. We were driven up the mountain and that is where we met these people. They rescued us.”
“What happened to Deonna? Tell me,” Cassie asks.
“The warriors came upon us and killed Pax and his companion. I alone fought them off. I told Deonna to run for cover.” I choke again. “One of the warriors threw a spear right through her back. I killed them all, and held Deonna in my arms until she passed. Another group of natives came through, like Pax. They helped me bury Deonna. They asked me to fight Coriantumr’s men with them. But I decided to return to Egypt instead.”
I choke up. “I headed back to the Genesis, having given up. I set my course towards the eastern continent. As I ascended, another aircraft passed over me. They call it a jet here. I followed it and found civilization everywhere. I followed the coast up to the northern continent and ended up on the east coast of the northern continent.”
“But it looks like I came through Genesis’ portal about twelve years ahead of you. A lot has happened since then. I’m married again. I’ve work for Mark all these years and he sent me to school.”
I then turn to Mark and everyone present.
“I’m sorry, Mark,” I apologize. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t think anyone would ever believe me. Worst of all, I wasn’t sure I wanted to return here and face it all again. We lost so much here.”
Leesa and the crew are all in tears. This has been one of the greatest reunions.
“It’s alright Talon. We know now.” Mark chokes also. “Let’s all sit down and celebrate what we have. “Everyone dig into the food and keep visiting.”
Mark turns to Matt. “It looks like our mission is now going to broaden. Matt, I’d like you to head up Talon’s side of this with Cassie and Korban. They’re going to need a place to live. I want you to take care of educating them in our language and such. Could you and Kim put them up for a while?”
“I don’t see why not. That will put me home before Christmas. Kim will love that.” Matt answers.
Continuing, Mark adds, “I’m going to need your help in obtaining their history. However, I’d like to retain Ray and Leesa and the team here to do more with the Genesis portal side of the project. Genesis…” Mark reflects. “How appropriate they call it the Genesis.”
“True,” Matt acknowledges. “So these people are probably responsible for the egg-shaped stones, you think?”
“That’s what I’d like you to follow-up on, Matt. Keep a report of everything you learn. At some point decisions will have to be made regarding the stones. I don’t know about you. But after this experience, they’re beginning to look dangerous. But the Genesis portal may prove promising.”
“Agreed.”
“And Matt...You might want to call Kim and let her know she can expect company.”
CATCHING UP WITH TALON
I visit with Korban and Cassie. And we happily catch up on my sojourn in this time period.
“So you work for Mark over there. And you’re married?” Cassie asks.
“Mark is a great guy. He’s a former military guy that has seen a lot of action on this world.”
“They still have wars here on this planet?” Korban asks.
“They’ve advanced a great deal in the present. But they’re still nowhere near every nation becoming equal yet. They still use a monetary system. Each country has its own trade agenda and politics. And many of the nations’ leaders impoverish their people and allow militants to enslave what they consider to be ethnic groups, including cleansing by death and imprisonment. Starvation and disease are still an issue. Nuclear war, even, is an issue. We have a lot of work we can do here, my friends.”
Matt joins our conversation and addresses Talon. “Talon, you mentioned earlier that you returned here to warn Korban and Cassie and the others about something. What was the warning about?”
“Yes. Although it probably doesn’t warrant any threat now in this time period. Deonna and I were living in what was called Memphis, Egypt; and we had spent time there with Nahor of the House of Shem. I was teaching them to build and we started to build pyramid style for the sake of the landscape. The pyramids were a good way to capture water from the rains and store it in wells underground.”
Interesting.” Matt contemplates. “You go back to ancient Egypt before the Pharaohs. Wait a minute.” Matt asks. “Did you mention the ‘The House of Shem’?”
“Yes. The ‘House of Shem’.”
“You’re Him! You are Talon Imhotep! You’re a legend...a living legend, apparently.”
I smile and add, “It’s all in the Bible; shortly after the flood.”
“I know my religion.” Matt replies. “And…you really…know religion?”
“Not all religions. My wife is a Mormon, Matt.” I respond. “I’m very interested in your world history and all of the religions of Earth.
“Right. And the thing you were warning them about was...”
“One day we heard a ship land in our village. It was a ship like the Genesis, Korban. I thought it was a rescue ship. But it wasn’t. They were taking people as slaves.”
“Slavery?” Korban asks. “Our people were taking slaves from this planet? I don’t believe it.”
“Korban, we must have been thrusted at least 3,000 years into the future when we crossed the portal to head for the cave after the crash. Things changed.” He said. “Remember, TerraNorre doesn’t exist anymore. They were looking for people to help mine on Seth 12.”
“I have never heard of Seth 12.” Korban answers.
“Exactly.” I explain to Matt, “The world we came from was destroyed by one of its two suns. The smaller sun developed into a black hole. It devoured our entire solar system. Most of our people didn’t make it. They began to evacuate people to two different worlds; Seth 5 and Seth 7. It seems that the disaster may have caused behavioral regression in some of our people due to their struggle to survive.”
“Well, I’m sure you three know how that feels.” Matt points out. “But may I ask how do you know the number of years you moved forward through the portal?”
“This planet was identified as a perfect test ground for the Life Seeds.” Korban explains.
“Life Seeds?” Matt asks.
“The egg-shaped stones, Matt.” I answer.
“Your people are responsible for the stones?” Matt asks.
“Yes. Our ship was on a mission to plant experimental Life Seeds in around the Universe. Earth was our last test planet.”
“Wait a minute,” Matt replies. “You’re telling me that the people and everything on this planet came from those stones or Life Seeds?”
“Actually, Matt,” I explain, “We made a mistake in selecting this planet. We planted seven Life Seeds on the continent when we spotted the man and woman in the garden. It’s against our policy to plant life when life already exists on a planet.”
“Which continent did you plant the seeds on?” Matt asks.
“There was only one continent when we placed the Seeds.” Korban says.
“Only one continent?” Matt repeats, astonished.
“That’s why I study religions, Matt.” I explain. “If you read in your Bible, you’ll find that approximately 300 years after the flood, the continent split up into four major continents around the days of Peleg. It was a massive earthquake.”
“Wait a minute. Go back.” Matt responds. “You said there was a garden with a man and a woman in it.”
“Yes. We had already planted the Life Seeds when we came upon the garden. We realized we made a mistake. We were about to go back and reclaim the Life Seeds we’d placed, when the Genesis was hit with debris from a nearby volcanic eruption.” Talon explains.
“I was the Genesis’ Pilot.” Korban states. “There were ten of us on board. We crashed up there on the mountain. We buried five people on the other side of the portal because it was warmer.”
<
br /> “So that makes five survivors. You. And then you no doubt stayed in the cave for a while,” Matt summarizes.
“Correct.” Korban states.
Matt seems fascinated, yet confused. “Well, I’d like to hear more tonight. But I have instructions for you; including you, Talon. You’re more involved in this mission now, obviously. And yes, Talon, we believe you. We’re going to be sending Korban and Cassie to school, like Mark did for you. Tomorrow, we’ll head back to Washington, D.C. Korban and Cassie, you can stay with my wife Kimberly and me until we find you a place to live.”
Matt continues. “Since Talon also lives in the area, he can help as much as he wants, and we can learn more about each other. I’m sure Talon will tell you both, this world is far from perfect. We have very complex problems here, but it does have its advantages. You all rest up tonight. We have a long trip tomorrow.”
I’m overcome with joy. “I’m so glad you’ve made it.” I cry. “Somehow, I always knew you would make it Korban.”
Matt meets briefly with Mark and summarizes the conversation he has just experienced.
“Fascinating,” Mark says. “Talon really surprised me tonight. I knew he was holding back on something, but I never would have guessed. It always seemed too personal to pry it out of him.”
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER
I’ve just come out of surgery and I’m cleaning up. Tonight was a horrible mess. One gunshot wound, and a stabbing wound. I’m exhausted. And even more, I’m feeling down sorry for myself because Matt’s not coming home for Christmas.
“Our first Christmas, married!” I tell myself, wiping tears from my face. I’m drowning in tears, actually.
My assistant, Amy, comes up and puts her arm around me. “Kim, you okay? It’s about Matt being gone, isn’t it?”
I sigh. “It’s starting to catch up with me, I guess. I don’t mean to put on a show.” I’m embarrassed, of course.
“Kim, I was wondering when it would hit you. I’d be more worried more if you didn’t show any emotion.” Amy first studied to become a psychologist. “He’s down in the southern hemisphere for at least four months out of a year. If it were me, I’d be depressed.”
“Paging Dr. Vaughan. Paging Dr. Vaughan. You have an emergency call on line one.”
“What now?” I ask. “I don’t think I’m up to another emergency after to- night.”
“Kim, it could be Matt. You’d better take it.” Amy comments.
“You’re right.” I’m surprised I didn’t think about that. “Dr. Vaughan, speaking. How may I…”
“Kim, honey? It’s Matt!”
“Matt? Matt, are you alright? They told me it was an emergency.”
“I know Honey; I just wanted to make sure I got through. My message is important and I need your permission.”
“Permission, Matt? What are you going to…”
“Kim, I’m coming home. I’m going to be home for Christmas!”
“Really, Matt?” I start to cry. “Oh, Honey, I can’t wait!”
“Sweetheart, I’m bringing a couple home with me…”
“A couple? What do you mean, Matt?”
“They’re a married couple, Kim. And we’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Matt, that’s wonderful!”
“Can they stay with us for a while, Honey? They need a place to stay.”
“What? Are they homeless? Matt?”
“Honey, that’s all I can tell you right now. I just want your permission.”
“Yes, it’s alright, Matt. We’ll just have guests for Christmas, right?”
“Thanks Honey. You’re really going to like these two. Oh… and I’ll have to have you read into our program down here, Kim. Someone from the Mark’s office is going to be dropping by for that.”
“Read in…okay. I guess. I’d better go get a Christmas Tree. Matt. I’m so excited!”
“Me too, Honey. I’ll call you when I get the flight itinerary…will that work?”
“Best Christmas present ever, Matt! I’m going shopping!” We laugh and say goodbye.
“Well that was quite show, Kim. He’s coming home?” Amy asks.
“Amy, I’ve got to go. I’ve got some shopping I’ve got to catch up on.”
“Need any help?”
“I’ve got this, Amy. But thanks! I’m out of here.”
KORBAN AND CASSIE’S NEW WORLD
05:00 hits quickly as usual for me. I’ve asked Leesa to knock on our guests’ door to wake them. The five of us meet for breakfast, which is set up as usual next to the command center. Talon, Leesa, and I are still in military uniform, since we left our clothes in San Antonio. My two new friends, Korban and Cassie are also wearing military uniforms.
“Sorry about the uniforms. It’s all we’re wearing during this operation.”
“Matt, it’s alright. We had uniforms on the Genesis also. We’re used to it.”
“Great.” I take a sip of orange juice. “We’ll have to fly on our government’s military transport because you two do not have papers or proof of birth on this planet, let alone our country. I’m sorry to say there are no windows to look out and it’s a long flight. You’ll get to see a little of the area around here as you leave.” We finish breakfast and exit the compound. Korban looks around.
“I know this area,” He says. “Remember, Cassie? Talon?”
“Yes. This is the village we lived in for years. Some of the stones are turned over. The vegetation is grossly overgrown. But it’s still the same location.”
“And there’s pottery everywhere,” Talon says. “You’re right. Up there on that cliff is where you and I did a reconnaissance of the area to learn more about the natives.”
“It’s like a dream, Korban. Over there is where we raised Alpacas,” Cassie says. Cassie is holding the little Yorkie, Maddie.
“Do you miss the Alpacas?” I ask.
“Well, they’re sweet animals. But sometimes they spit on you.” Cassie replies.
I laugh.
We get into a Humvee and the caravan leaves quickly. Again, we travel down switchbacks and through the canyon with a river in it. We see all kinds of wildlife in the canyon. Then we arrive at an airbase with the large C-17’s. The Humvee drives up to the back of the C-17 and drops us off.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I need to make a phone call before the plane leaves,” I tell them.
“Talon,” Cassie asks. “What have you told your wife about your past?”
“She thinks I came over from another continent as an exchange student. She doesn’t know anything. I’ve built a complete new life here,” He answers. “I have a son and a daughter.”
“How old do they live to be on this planet, Talon? Are you ever going to tell her?” Cassie asks.
“Well, I can’t yet. Technically, our government considers us all classified. They’ll probably make up new records for both of you and they’ll give you a whole new start.”
“That’s very kind,” Korban responds.
“To answer your question,” Talon continues, “They don’t live any longer than the rest of the natives we’ve associated with. Maybe 30 years longer. But that’s it.”
“You realize she will start to age and you won’t. So you’re going to have to explain that to her eventually. Give or take 20 years,” Cassie says. “Especially to your children.”
Talon thinks about that. “That is going to make things complicated. The women of this generation are very particular about make-up, hair, and clothing. Someday soon,” Talon continues. “But I’ll need Mark’s buy-in to do so. And there is a chance my children may inherit a longer life.”
I place a call to Kim at her work while the others continue to catch up.
“Matt?” Kim’s voice says. “Where are you?”
“Kim! Honey, I’m still in Peru. We’re getting ready to leave now. Did Mark’s people reach you?”
“Yes, they did. I understand. I can’t wait to see you.
“I�
��m excited also, Honey. We fly in early Tuesday morning. Can you meet us at Dulles around 6:00?”
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