Starship Genesis

by Linda M. Miller

  “We did not put ours into exhibits like you do. I do not know why. This place is fascinating. I want to see more.”

  “I love the mammoths.” Cassie says. Korban loves the brontosaurus. Then we come to the Darwin Exhibit.

  They study the exhibit closely and learn how each man of his age has progressed. “These must have been from the Life Seeds, Matt. So the Life Seeds were not successful,” Korban tells Cassie.

  “I wouldn’t exactly say that,” Kim says. “Look at man today.”

  “Yes, but the man and woman in the garden were already like us today,” Korban tells her. “If the Life Seeds were successful, they would have developed into man as we know it today. That’s what they were designed to do.”

  “And notice that these types didn’t last very long,” Cassie adds. “They weren’t tough enough to survive their environment, or else they would still be here.”

  “What about the apes, then?” Kim asks.

  “What do you know about the Life Seeds, thus far?” Korban asks me.

  “Mark’s group stored it because it looked like an expensive jewel. They were hoping they would find the owner someday. Then one day it activated and became a huge mess. Soon after, it started producing fish and smaller animals.”

  “So it was still in its first phase with animal life.” Korban says.

  “There’s more, Korban. But we need to discuss this at Mark’s company in a more secure environment.”

  “I like your museum, Matt,” Cassie says. “Your people seem to have a reverence or respect for life.”

  “You know South America, especially Peru, seems to have a lot of dealings with Ancient Aliens, Korban. Peru has markings you can only see from the sky. And we’ve studied them. But no one knows who had the technology to develop them.” I explain.

  “It sounds like we’re not the only ones to come to Earth, Matt. Maybe we can help you with that.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that, Korban. Do you have an interest in archeology? It’s the study of man’s past, and we have plenty of work to do in that area.”

  “I think we both have an interest,” Cassie says. “I’m in.”

  Kim shakes her head, “Well, I have enough work to do just keeping people together in the present,” She haggles. “Too many people falling apart around here and getting sick.”

  Cassie laughs.

  “By the way, did they vaccinate either of you for the diseases in our time period?” Kim asks.

  “I guess if we knew what vaccinations were, we would know about it,” Korban answers.

  “Matt, I think you need to bring a doctor on board to care for our friends.” Kim states. “I’m here for you two. But I’m technically a surgeon and they keep me pretty busy where I’m at.”

  “That’s right, Kim. We didn’t think about that,” I respond.

  “Well, we may be impervious to it already,” Cassie says. “Else we would have gotten sick around Yoseph or Coriantumur’s people.”

  “True,” Kim agrees. “Maybe I better take a closer look at you and your blood types. Are you two willing to take a health screening?”

  “Only if you’re the one doing it,” Korban answers. “We trust you, Kim. We don’t mind helping your people either.”

  The museum announces closing time and the four of us are kicked out with the crowd.

  “We should spend more time down here on the weekends,” Kim says.

  “We’ll do this again.” I answer. “I have an exhibit of a boat my team raised out of the Chesapeake Bay. We could go see it...at least I’d liked to see it. I’ve been too busy to go check it out. I even missed the opening.”

  “We’ll get there Matt. Don’t worry....We still need to visit the Pet Shop,” Kim points out.

  I drive them to a pet shop near home.

  “Look Korban! People are bringing their pets to the store with them.” Cassie sees another couple with a Boxer. “Can I pet him?”

  “Sure,” the man answers. The little boxer is still a pup and it wiggles from side to side and approaches Cassie. “He’s so beautiful. What kind of a dog is he?” She asks.

  “It’s a boxer. Brindle.” He answers.

  “And he has a white chest. Beautiful.”

  “Well, we need to be going. We have to be elsewhere.”

  “Thank you!” Cassie answers.

  “Let’s go inside and see if they have any cats.” Kim says.

  We look around at the fish and they become enthralled at the colors of them. “We had many fish like these,” Korban says. “Our oceans also had very large marine mammals with large tails.”

  “We have them too. We call them whales.” Matt answers. “Sounds like we need to do a trip up to the aquarium in Baltimore.”

  Cassie finally finds the cat adoption area. She picks out two kittens. One is white as snow. The other is a shy little tabby. “This one is marked like a tiger.” She says. “I like that.”

  We laugh. Korban and Cassie are so entertaining. We take the kittens home and feed them.

  “Talon always liked cats and dogs as well. We should show him our new pets!” Cassie suggests.

  My cell phone rings. “Matt?”

  “Yes?”

  “Matt, this is Daniele, Talon’s wife. Talon has come down with the measles. He’s terribly sick. He said to let you know I’m taking him to a doctor.”

  “Daniele, my wife, Kim, is a doctor. We’ll be over there to check him out right away.”

  I turn to Korban and Cassie, “It looks like Talon has caught the measles from his children, and he’s very sick.”

  “We’ll come with you,” Korban reacts.

  “That’s not a good idea at this point,” Kim states.

  “But none of us has caught any disease in Peru in the past.” Korban responds.

  “Korban, our Indians never had measles or chicken pox until the Europeans came over from the other continent. It nearly wiped out some of the Indian populations in the 1600-1700s. I think we should check Talon out right away.” I answer.

  “Korban, what do you think happened to the people who created the rock formations that we’ve see from the sky in Peru? It could have been disease,” Kim suggests. “You need to protect yourselves from it. You’re probably just lucky so far.”

  “Kim and I are going over to check him out. Why don’t you two stay here and help yourselves to the fridge. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

  “Of course,” Korban answers.

  We take off in Kim’s SUV and head towards Talon’s home.

  “I’m concerned about this. We may have to transport him to other facilities, Matt. And we can’t take him inside a regular hospital because it could get worse.”

  “Right, let me call Mark.” I dial Mark’s cell. It takes a few moments.

  “Mark? It’s Matt.”

  “Matt. What’s going on?”

  “It seems that Talon has just come down with the measles, Mark. And my dear wife has just reminded me that this hemisphere never knew measles or chickenpox until the Europeans came over. We’re concerned that Talon, may be medically in danger.”

  “I see. What can I do to help?”

  “We may need to transport Talon to a secure medical facility. Kim doesn’t want him in or near a civilian hospital.”

  “Matt, I’ll contact some people at Naval Medical. They can set something up for Talon right away. Call me and let me know how Talon’s doing as soon as you find out.”

  “Will do.” I answer.

  We arrive at Talon’s home and knock on the door. Daniele greets us. Two little kids are sitting on the floor playing. Daniele takes them upstairs. Talon is unconscious and covered with what looks like measles.

  “I don’t know what to do, Matt.” Daniele cries. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  “Talon,” I try to wake him. “Talon.”

  “Matt... Help... me.” Talon struggles to speak and his throat is swollen.

  “Help him please....” Daniele cries.
/>
  “Matt, call Mark and ask him where we’re transporting Talon.” Kim says hurriedly.

  “Mark, its Matt. We’re transporting Talon now. Where are we going?”

  “Go directly to Naval Medical on Wisconsin Avenue. I’ll have a crew standing by.”

  Matt turns around to Daniele.

  “What is happening here?” she exclaims.

  “Daniele, you need to find someone to take care of your children and come directly to Naval Medical. I’ll have someone meet you and bring you in.” I tell her.”

  “It’s too late to wait for an ambulance.” Kim responds. “We need to take him now. Out to the car!” The two of us carry him from his couch and drag him down into the SUV.

  Kim opens the back and drags out a medical bag. She pulls out an epi-pen and stabs Talon’s thigh.

  “Kim, what are you doing?” I ask.

  “I think he’s having an allergic reaction!”

  Kim buckles Talon in but lets him lay on the seat. “Go!”

  I back out and drive through every red light I come to after looking both ways.

  Talon lays on the seat. He’s turning blue now and is unconscious. A siren sounds in the background. Lights flash blue and red. I pull over and let the cop pull in back of me.

  I yell back, “We’ve got a man dying in here. We’re headed to Naval Medical.”

  Kim then shouts, “I’m a doctor. Please help us!”

  The officer signals go ahead and I take off again. The cop car follows us. Apparently, the officer then calls for back up to get us through the traffic on the Rockville Pike. The Pike is full of traffic lights and police cars are stopping traffic to let us go by.

  We make it through Congressional and over I-495. I race up the hill towards the main entrance of Naval Medical. The guards at the gate see the police cars and let us all in.

  True to Mark’s word there is a unit waiting for us at the door. They put him on a gurney and run Talon in to a sterile unit which turns out to be not too far.

  Two medical doctors and Kim work on him to get him stabilized. I watch in in disbelief. “Come on Talon,” I say to myself.

  Things quiet down and Kim looks up at me smiling in relief.

  I breathe again and feel an immediate sigh. I overhear the doctors telling Kim she did the right thing giving him an epi-pen.

  “Talon has had an allergic reaction to bad shell fish.” Kim says. But it looked like the measles.”

  “Well, I thought he was turning into a tomato when I first saw him.” I add.

  The doctors put Talon through the usual treatment for an allergic reaction.

  “He’ll have to stay here overnight for observation. But he can probably go home in the morning. You can talk to him if you’d like.”

  I enter the door. “Talon, what have you been up to?”

  “Matt,” Talon says very tiredly. “Kim, thank you both.”

  “When did you figure out it was an allergic reaction, Kim?” I ask.

  “Well, he couldn’t breathe and he started turning blue. At that point I knew it wasn’t measles.” she answers.

  “But what if he had been allergic to the virus?” I ask.

  “Well, that’s possible. But these type of reactions are usually food or drug induced.”

  “Matt, she knows her stuff.” Talon says roughly. “Take it from me. I was a doctor on the Genesis.”

  “You were a doctor also?” I ask.

  Daniele finally arrives. “Talon, what on earth?”

  The doctors give Daniele an update.

  “Do you think he’s going to tell her?” Kim asks.

  “I doubt it.” Matt says. I then phone Mark to let him know.

  “Tell Kim she’s hired.” Mark laughs.

  “Mark says you’re hired, Kim.”

  “Well, I’m glad he didn’t have the measles. But I’d still like to look at his blood work. We’ll be getting that now with all of this.”

  Daniele hugs us both. “Thank you. You both need to come over.”

  Kim gives Daniele her card and tells her to call if she needs anything. We head out of Naval Medical and return home.

  “You know, Matt, Daniele should probably come over with Talon to our house to introduce her to Korban and Cassie. It would buy some time for Talon.”

  “Good idea.” I answer. “I’m tired.”

  “Me too.” she says. Korban and Cassie are relieved to hear it wasn’t the measles.

  “We’re not super humans,” Korban tells me. “Bad food can kill anyone.”

  THE PERUVIAN MINISTER’S COURTESY CALL

  “I’m relieved to hear Talon had an allergic reaction. Give him my best, Matt. Ciao!”

  “Mr. Valentine, Sir. His Excellency has arrived.”

  “Thanks Sgt. Michaels. I’m on my way.” I hop a chopper and turn to business with a courtesy call paid by a member of the Peruvian Government.

  The chopper takes me down to the main airbase. We land and the Peruvian Representative is standing by a conference tent. His limousine and driver are with him.

  “Your Excellency. What a pleasure to meet you, Sir.”

  “Señor Valentine. It is my pleasure. I have a matter to discuss with you. First, we thank you for the rescue of the little dog. It belongs to the Presidente’s cousin and his daughter wanted it. Secondly, we thank you for the recovery of the wreckage and the black box. Our people are now analyzing its contents.”

  “Yes, the night of the crash the weather was a deluge as I remember. What can I help you with, Your Excellency?”

  “My people tell me your base camp is situated over the ruins of Huallin Pampa. That is a historical site. If it’s true, you must move it, Sir. I insist. Otherwise, I will cancel your military exercises.”

  “Your Excellency, I assure you that we will leave everything the way we found it.” I then think to myself, with the exception of the ice wraiths and big foots.

  “I’m glad to hear we both agree, Señor Valentine. “One other question.”

  “Go ahead, Sir,” I reply.

  “My people have been fearful of this mountain wilderness for many, many years. No one has ever climbed this mountain and returned to talk about it. Have you found any other remains?”

  “Just the remains we’ve given you. Those were an unfortunate accident my friend.”

  “I see.” He replies. “We were in hopes that you would discover what is causing our people to disappear.”

  “After our maneuvers we will share everything we find.” I tell him.

  “Very well, Señor Valentine. I’m looking forward to discussing it all with you.” He shakes my hand and departs.

  “They’re getting nosey,” I tell Cliff. “But it is their mountain. I’d do the same thing.”

  I previously met with the biological crew to learn of their plans to exterminate the ice wraiths from the glacier. The plan is to use infrared lights and heat to attract them and bomb them with grenades.

  “That should work in accordance to military maneuvers,” The biologist replies.

  After three days of continuous assault, I meet with them again to assess the glacier’s situation.

  “Any ice wraiths remaining?” I ask.

  “We’ve scanned with infrared and heat waves. We haven’t seen any more for two days now.”

  “That’s good,” I reply. “Let’s continue to scan for two more weeks. I want to be sure. I’m leaving for Washington, D.C. tomorrow. Ray, I’m leaving you in charge here. I want to personally supervise the unpacking of the Genesis back home.

  What about the guygores and the stones? Have any more of those shown up?”

  “No. But we’ll keep monitoring and scanning for them also. This should further prove our findings are accurate.”

  “That’s good. We need to restore the base camp to its prior glory. Ray, I want you to oversee that as well. Please let me know if I need to handle anything with the local government.”

  “I have a feeling the Peruvian Government already knew w
hat was up there Mark.” Ray answers.

  “So do I. And I think they’re counting on us to get rid of their problems for them. I think that little plane was snooping when it went down. Very unfortunate for them. How long will it take to restore that base camp?”