Scotty appreciated that Seve wasn’t speaking to him like he was only nine. And, for the most part, he understood what she was saying. He didn’t like any of it, but he understood. “Okay … then what?”
She paused, staring at him for several moments. “Well … then we totally obliterate your physical body.”
Scotty felt as if he’d been slapped in the face. He struggled to breath. “You said you weren’t going to kill me … to kill us.” Fear, which had slowly begun to subside, now rushed back in him like a quickly approaching tidal wave.
Seve shook her head. “No, no, you won’t be dead. Not really, since everything that makes you you will already be stored. There cannot be two Scottys, not two of anyone. This is just part of the process. Once ‘all of you’ is properly stored into your associated atomized macro-structure, then the rest of the crew, including me, will be similarly transformed. This spaceship, with the help of the Porthwamp, will follow pre-programmed instructions, transform into what amounts to pure energy constructs. At that point in time, everything in here will become nothing more than meticulously organized, arranged, energy. This Porthwamp transmits that energy when it’s left behind. Alone here in space, it will fire-up our energy—light beams deep into the cosmos, to a distant point light-years away. Then, closer to another planet within another planetary system, the whole process is reversed.”
Scotty asked, “Can I do all that … but do it with Larry?”
Chapter 28
“Are you ready?” Seve asked.
“Wait. You mean, like right now? We’re doing this right now?” Scotty asked.
“Yes. It is time.”
Scotty looked about the compartment, at the alive walls, with their strange creases and ridges, then at the narrow passageway they’d traversed through to get here. He wanted to say goodbye to Tori, even to Ernesto. Then he thought of his family—were they worried about him? Did they even know he was gone, maybe never to return? Would they think he was dead? Would he soon, in fact, be dead? He thought of Thomas, of his recent horrific demise, then thought of the pink towel, lying in a heap on the floor.
“I’m ready, I guess. But do I really have to go inside there? Inside the Porthwamp’s mouth? I mean … it totally reeks. I feel like gagging just standing out here.”
Seve stared down at Scotty for several long beats—her glowing, featureless, face somehow conveyed understanding. “I have high hopes for you, young Human. You may be one of the ones chosen … one of the ones, someday, who will guide your species toward new and exciting distant frontiers.”
“So, we can stay together?”
“Stay together?” she repeated, slightly tilting her head to one side.
“Pamela, Tori, Ernesto, and me … ,” Scotty said.
Seve, raising her head up, slowly nodded in understanding. She stepped over to the second display—one which seemed to show nothing other than a bazillion, gray, oblong seedpods. Scotty had seen geometric computer screensavers before not much different from this one. Seve did something with the controls and, as the image began to zoom in, Scotty’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. It wasn’t a screensaver after all. The oblong shapes, now coming into view, were simply more seed pods like the ones he’d seen on the other display. There were thousands of the things. “Where … who’s … ”
Seve finished his question for him: “Who’s in these other pods? It’s approximately three hundred Human children, all from Earth, who were taken over the last few months. As to where the pods are physically located … well, they are right here, on this ship. But they could just as easily reside somewhere else. What you are viewing has already been converted into the purest form of energy. These pods would easily fit onto the head of a pin.
“You’re going to put me into one of those pods?”
Seve said, “Larry is in one of those pods.”
“Oh … well can you put my pod next to his?”
“I can certainly try,” Seve answered.
“Say goodbye to Tori for me, okay?”
“You’ll see her soon enough. Now stay where you are. You do not need to do anything more than to remain perfectly still.” Seve placed a soft hand on Scotty’s cheek and held it there a moment. “Can I give you a little advice, Scotty?”
“Sure … okay.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to study your kind, your people, over the last year or so. I learned much about the evolution of Human beings. About what makes certain individuals, throughout your sordid history, stand apart from others. Which men and women made their mark … made a difference.”
“Like Michael Jordan?”
“Sure … but others, too. Great leaders like George Washington, Winston Churchill, Nefertiti, and Julius Caesar. When you transform, back into a material form, you will be on another planet. Let me give you some good advice. You are not there to make friends. You are not there to form a community. You Humans have a saying that I like: ‘Hit the ground running.’ Let there be no mistake about what you have been chosen to do, and that is to win. Prevail over all others. And, most important, survive. If you truly wish to see your family again, also help others on your home world, you need to play by a new set of rules; even to the point of being ruthless, if necessary, in achieving your goal. Do not forget this, Scotty. You will be tested every step of the way … stay cognizant of that and you may prevail.”
“I don’t understand a lot of what you just said. I don’t know what cog … ni …zzzant means,” Scotty said.
“Do not worry about that now. You will understand in time, young Human.” Seve, exhaling a deep breath, turned and walked away, leaving Scotty alone on the yellow circle.
He waited, about to holler out another question, when he felt something strange—an electrical current course throughout his body. Suddenly, in a flash, he was somewhere else, lying within a small enclosure. Above him was a small window—one he could see out through—though all he could see were the other nearby pods.
Before everything went black, he wondered if Larry was there, nearby …
* * *
Scotty blinked his eyes open, feeling both confused and disoriented. Something must have gone wrong. Whatever was supposed to happen inside the pod—hadn’t happened. Or had it?
He then realized he wasn’t in a pod at all, although it sure was dark wherever he was. It obviously was night time and he was outside. Barely visible, he sensed more than saw tall trees rustling overhead—swaying back and forth from unseen winds. Strange, but he didn’t feel wind gusts brush against his skin—his face. He heard sounds of chirping birds; night time wildlife somewhere up above. I must be back on Earth! They took me back! I’m back home! Exhilarated, Scotty tried to sit up—but nothing worked. He couldn’t force his arms down to his sides, which would enable him to push off. In that one moment Scotty Sullivan truly felt panic. Did he no longer possess arms, legs, or even a body? Oh God, I’m dead.
Seve you lied to me.
The trees rustled overhead with an intense, angry thrashing that both frightened and delighted Scotty. I think I felt that! It was very subtle, but he felt a slight breeze lightly touch his face, also something pointy, sticking him in his lower back. A twig? Sharp rock? Once again, he tried to move an arm and this time he had at least minimal success. I have arms.
As the seconds and minutes ticked by, more and more bodily senses and functions returned. It took a full hour’s struggle before he was able to fully rise into a sitting position. Glancing around, he took in the surrounding landscape. His first thought was straight out of his mom’s favorite movie: Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. Second, were Seve’s parting words: You will be tested every step of the way. Just knowing he was being tested changed everything. He labored to his feet, resolute to indeed survive what would come next.
Chapter 29
Scotty wondered why he was deposited here. Left alone this late at night in some kind of creepy wilderness. At least he was back on Earth, and that was encouragin
g. He was sure someone would be along soon to help him.
Unsteadily, he rose to his feet then realized he was dressed in different clothes. Not his own rolled-up jeans, faded tank top, and tennis shoes. He made a face. Who did that—changed my clothes? His balance still unsteady, he stood and listened for sounds from the others. Perhaps Tori, or Ernesto, or Pamela were nearby? Scotty thought of his dog and, on the off-chance that he too was nearby, called out, “Larry! Here boy! Come on, boy … Larry!”
Again, Scotty tried hard to listen for a familiar sound above the rustling wind. He slowly turned around, giving his immediate surroundings a closer inspection. In the moonless darkness, he approached what appeared to be the wide trunk of a silhouetted tree. Stepping up to it, he stuck his palm out and felt its rough bark against his skin; a strong pine scent invaded his nostrils. Blindly, stretching his arm even higher up, he touched a low-hanging branch. A cluster of long pine needles brushed against his wrist. Even further up, his fingers touched a hanging pinecone. At least, it felt like a pinecone.
Scotty refocused his attention on his clothes, what he was wearing. His best guess, standing alone in the darkness, was that he was attired in some kind of dorky overalls. He couldn’t make out what color they were. And he was wearing boots, instead of his old Keds. Sliding his hands into the overalls’ two side pockets, he found them empty. He checked out a top chest pocket as well, and, patting it, could feel something inside. He fiddled with the opening—not exactly a zipper, but something similar. Reaching several fingers inside, he pulled free what felt like a little matchbox car. He had close to a hundred of them back home packed away in a shoebox, since he was now too old to play with them.
Using his fingers on both hands to examine the contours of the small object, he realized it was something entirely different. Roughly shaped, like a flattened-out bird, he wondered at first if it was—somehow—still alive. He felt warmth, emanating from its winged, almost aerodynamic shape, but it was some kind of device, he was sure of that. Flipping it over again, along its bottom surface, his fingers felt a slight indentation. And a button. He pressed it and immediately felt the object gain weight—its dimensions increasing. Letting the object drop freely from his hand, he took a step back from where it landed on the ground.
Scotty leaned forward, noting that the ever-enlarging device was also kind of glowing. Mesmerized, he watched it continue to expand in size. The wind had subsided substantially—night sounds coming alive to the point of distraction. When all further growth finally ceased, it had become roughly four-feet-wide by six-feet-long in size. Nearly transparent, it still resembled a flattened-out bird. One with its stubby wings more defined, and an elongated tail. As a soft ‘ping’ sounded, a separate circular section began to rise up several inches from the device’s mid-section, illuminating a circle in a brighter shade of yellow. The familiar looking, stepping stone-sized circle was identical to the one he’d stood upon within the alien ship. Terrific.
Scotty debated whether to step up onto it, or not. Sure, he realized he was supposed to do just that, but he wondered if he should wait. Perhaps Larry was around somewhere, or the other kids with him on the alien ship. He contemplated what to do since, truthfully, he had no idea what would happen if he stood upon the circle. He might be whisked back inside another pod, or even onto a spaceship somewhere. Frustrated, he blew through puffed-out cheeks and studied the surroundings; everything was unchanged, still black as pitch. Shaking his head, he stepped onto the yellow circle.
Immediately things started to happen, the contours of the device were changing. Tempted to jump off, Scotty watched as it assumed completely new contours. It wasn’t long before he realized the bird-shaped-thing was in the process of encircling him. Materializing all around him—into some sort of enclosed, tear-drop-shaped vehicle. Or was it more like an animal? Staring out through its clear, membrane-like surface—first left, then right—he noticed the stubby wings had taken on a more defined shape. Yes, the bird vehicle definitely was some kind of aircraft or space vessel, but it also was alive—or sort of alive. In front of him, a bright futuristic dashboard appeared just below a thin, translucent membrane. Scotty smiled. This was far cooler than any video game or space tech he’d ever seen.
The enclosure, or belly area, was fairly roomy. Scotty figured it was about the size of a short stubby bus. Everything inside and out was soft to the touch—and also see-through. As he looked about the confined space, he questioned why whoever had made the thing hadn’t designed built-in seats. And then wondered, what am I supposed to do now? As cool as the craft was, it would quickly become—he tried to remember the big word for it—oh yeah, claustrophobic.
Enough light was generated within the enclosure, and spilling out beyond, that Scotty could make out the nearby landscape and surrounding big trees. His heart began to race, even before he fully comprehended what his eyes were now steadfastly locked onto. Not five feet from where he’d previously stood and touched the pinecone, was some kind of creature, perched high upon a tree branch. Its eyes, glowing green, reflected back the vessel’s illumination. Its face, matte black, looked as if it had been smashed flat in a horrific car accident. Its nose—nearly nonexistent—consisted of two small nostril holes. Below it, were thick lips, surrounding a gaping mouth. Scotty, staring, was certain the creature was incapable of closing its jaws, possessing so many protruding teeth and six or seven-inch-long fangs.
The creature, becoming restless, stirred and suddenly stood upright on the supporting branch. Rising up to its full height, Scotty figured it wasn’t quite as tall as himself. The creature scratched between its legs where, comparative to its overall size, existed enormous private parts. Genitalia that swayed and hung down like a colossal pendulum. Its long, curved claws were busy scratching there when the creature began to scrutinize the night.
Scotty caught something moving about in his peripheral vision. Staring out the front of the craft, he watched a different kind of animal hop into view. But it wasn’t a rabbit, as he’d first suspected, but something closer to a large insect, one with hair and oversized transparent wings. As it slogged along, its two forward pinchers constantly scissored open and closed. Scotty in that one moment knew—beyond any doubt—he was not on Earth. He had no idea where he was.
Chapter 30
“I’m impressed. Having survived even this long on your own, is commendable, Scotty,” a female voice said, filling the confined space.
Scotty spun around, finding Seve standing behind him. More accurately, a full-size projected image of Seve. Every few seconds, her glowing form pulsed erratically with static.
“As you’ve undoubtedly guessed, I am not actually there with you. Not until the Romper was activated did we confirm you were safe.”
“Romper?” Scotty repeated.
“That’s what we call the transport vehicle you’re standing within.”
“Seve, there’s a … scary animal. Up in the trees. I was right next to it. It looks like it could eat me.”
“That’s a Kammie. Intelligent, and yes, it is a very dangerous life form indigenous to this world. Kammies are meat-eaters. They don’t like loud noises … something to keep in mind.”
“So, I’m not on Earth? What world is this? Where am I?”
“You are about eight light years distance from Earth. Larger than your home planet, by about one-third, it is remarkably similar. There are large oceans, continent landmasses, magnetic north and south poles, a relatively mild climate, and a highly diverse, thriving ecosystem.”
“What’s it called?”
“We call it Hope,”
“Okay. Am I the only one here? Am I alone on Hope?”
“No. There are approximately three thousand other Human beings here along with you.”
Scotty nodded back, then turned and looked out through the side of the nearly transparent Romper. “You’re referring to the abducted kids who were in the pods on the ship. The pods that you said could all fit on the head of a pin.”
“That is correct, plus several thousand adults who have been here some time already. Everyone here has been transitioned back into material forms … as you have been.”
“So why are we here? When can we go home?”
“Scotty, it is time you come to realize that this—that Hope—is your new home. Someday, it may become home to millions of Humans.”
“Wait! You said that I’d be able to return to my old home, um, Earth,” Scotty said.
“That will depend on you, Scotty. And even then, it will only be for a short while. We already spoke about this, remember? The people that travel back to Earth will have a very important mission. As I mentioned before, Earth, unfortunately, does not have much time left. It will not survive an impending cosmic disaster. Something we can talk more about in the days and weeks to come.”
“So wait … just tell me this. The people from Earth will come to planet Hope to live? This will be their new home?”
“Some people, but not all. We will do our best to communicate the seriousness of the situation; demonstrate what exactly is going to occur. Scotty, my people, the Vallic, are committed to helping other beings on worlds similar to Earth. But only if they want to be helped.”
Scotty mentally flashed back to the imposing alien on the ship. His arm outstretched—then snapping the neck of poor Thomas.
“This fast-moving gamma ray burst that will strike Earth, has already destroyed numerous other planetary systems along its path … and it will continue to do so, for millions of years to come. So far, getting Vallic teams ahead of this gamma ray has been problematic. With your Solar System, Earth, and systems farther on we believe we will find more success.”
“Oh … ” Scotty mumbled, weighing the dire seriousness of it all.
“We have found it is a matter of trust—or, more accurately, mistrust. The people of Earth will not trust the word of an alien race that their world will soon be coming to an end. We have witnessed far better outcomes when someone of the same species delivers the message. Someone who is a natural leader who can manage such an important undertaking—that of saving an entire species from extinction.”
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