by Saxon Andrew
“WHAT!?”
“There’s no trace of them. The cave is empty and we’re starting a search of the terrain around it.”
“Have the Apache do an electronic search for them.”
“Yes Sir.”
Hodges pressed a button and Whitehall appeared on his desk display, “Your daughter and Connor’s children are no longer at the cave.”
“How do you know that?”
“I just sent in a platoon to pick them up.”
“Why in God’s name would you do that!?”
“Admiral, we don’t know what’s going on here and until we do I deem it necessary to have Connor’s family with us. Is that clear!”
Whitehall stared at the President and lowered his eyebrows, “Perfectly clear, Sir. You’ll have my resignation on your desk within the hour.”
The screen went dark and he stood up. Whitehall was too important to lose! He tried to contact him but his calls went unanswered. Hodges sat down and shook his head. He called in Graylin and said “Recall the helicopters.”
“Is something wrong?”
Hodges shook his head, “Paranoia runs deep. Recall them.”
• • •
Emily drove the Jeep out of the woods and shook her head. Stella had the sniper scope trained on the mountain miles behind them and said, “Two helicopters have just moved over the hill toward our cave.”
The satellite phone rang and Emily shouted, “DON’T ANSWER IT!” She took the phone out of Michael’s hands and turned it off. She didn’t know if the military had the phone’s frequency. Essay had purchased it so they would not have to keep taking it from Michael to use it. There was no sense in taking chances.
“What’s going on, Mom?”
Emily looked at Jim, “Your father took it upon himself to assist the alien. He didn’t go through higher authorities and I think that might cause some issues.”
“That’s why you left the cave.”
“It is.”
“Where are we going?”
“I’m not sure…yet. We have the camping gear so we may just stay in the forests until your father returns.”
“How is he going to find us without the phone turned on?”
“I suspect the Alien will be able to find us. We just have to lay low until they come back.”
Stella was in the back of the Jeep staring behind them and she said, “The helicopters are leaving.”
“Which way are they headed?”
“North.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed. They should have been doing a search of the land around the cave before they left. They hadn’t been there long enough to do that…what was going on?
Stella looked at her, “The last place they would look for us is at the cave.”
“They could have left someone there.”
“Jim and I can go into the forest and see if they did.”
“What if they’re in the cave?”
“Would you wait in the cave or would you choose a place where you could see anything that moved around it?”
Emily shook her head, looked in the rearview mirror, and turned the Jeep around. “I’ll drop you off at the nook. Take the spotter scope and check things out. Michael and I will set up camp at the nook.”
Jim and Stella looked at each other and knew that Emily wasn’t certain the Alien would find them. The Jeep moved north and entered the woods on a narrow trail leading into the forest. Emily figured that the worst that could happen is they would be found. She was certain they wouldn’t be harmed but she didn’t want to give anyone that came to take them by force an advantage.
Chapter Nine
Essay felt something and woke up. He had fallen asleep in the chair after the Prophet taught him how to recline the chair. He sat up straight and looked at the Alien, who was pressing buttons on the control panel. “What’s going on?”
“We’re arriving at our destination.” Essay immediately looked at the viewport and saw a planet growing larger on the viewport. It appeared to be gold and brown colored. Kam saw his expression and tilted his head, “We won’t be able to go outside without a pressure suit. The atmosphere has a high content of sulfur.”
Essay shook his head, “I’m surprised anyone could live in that kind of environment.”
“Life finds a way.” Kam brought the ship to a stop and turned off the stardrive. He gripped the steering wheel on the front of the control panel and pushed it forward. The ship turned its nose down and started moving toward the planet’s surface.
Essay jerked his head up as the central monitor illuminated and he saw an alien that looked familiar. After a moment he knew where he had seen it. It could have passed for ET’s twin, only much larger. It was also light brown in color instead of grey like the small alien in the movie. Essay saw the alien’s surprise when it saw him sitting beside the Prophet.
“Welcome back, Prophet. I see you’ve brought someone with you.”
“I have. He is a member of a species that might be able to help you with your issues.”
The alien’s large eyes grew larger. Essay didn’t think that was possible but it apparently was. “What help?”
“I’ve brought six complete control systems with me. I’m going to open the landing bay door on arrival and I want you to plug one of them into the connectors on the hull you’ve completed.”
“I will order the lifters to await your landing. Is this really true, Prophet?”
“We’ll know after you connect one of them. Please do it as quickly as possible.”
“Yes Prophet.”
Essay watched the ground rising quickly toward them and then slow as the Prophet landed the ship. He looked at the monitor and saw hundreds of the aliens rushing up to the ship on large wheeled vehicles. “What are they called?”
“Bosrean.”
“They aren’t able to build the electronic components?”
“No. They’re quite advanced in metallurgy but they have not developed computers. I estimate it would take a hundred years for them to learn how to build them.”
“That doesn’t give them much time to build warships to defend their planet.”
“No it doesn’t, Connor.”
Essay looked at two of the vehicles running toward the large completed hull a quarter of a mile away. Soon, the other boxes were being lifted and taken out of the huge landing bay. Essay looked at Kam, “Did they fight wars?”
Kam looked at Essay and shook his head, “No. They are a peaceful species and telepathic like mine. That is probably what accounts for their slow technological development.”
“What?”
Kam looked at Essay and tilted his head, “Be honest, Connor. Most of your technological developments happened while your species was at war. They eventually spilled out into your society but it was war that led to most of your species’ advances. Even your first computer was built to steal messages from the Germans during that time you called World War Two.” Essay looked out the viewport and Kam said, “The government of the nation the scientist lived under had him sterilized after the war.”
Kam looked at him, “Is that true?”
“It’s your history. I just took the time to read some of it. Humans have done some really horrific things.”
Essay lowered his head and then looked up, “Then why did you agree to assist us against the Traugh?” Kam looked out of the viewport in silence and Essay said, “Why?”
Kam blew out a breath and Essay was surprised it was something a human would do. “Your species evolved on a violent planet and they learned quickly that they would have to band together to survive the dangers they found themselves confronting. At one point, they had to fight other humans for limited resources. It was from that time forward the various bands of humans looked at others as competitors and grouped them into the dangers confronting them. It was that grouping into different groups that led to your wars and horrific actions. Your species has never banded into a single group to face an outside danger. I believe that once
your species came together, they would never go back to what they were.”
Kam looked at Essay, “It is that thing inside you that will make you a formidable force against the Traugh. When you work together toward a common goal, you are magnificent.”
“Are you sure about us never going back to our old pattern?”
“Maybe I’m hoping more than really knowing. I just see that once that common banding is done, those in it are extremely reluctant to leave it. You’ll have a few hundred years to solidify your unity. I don’t think you would go back after so much time has passed.”
The monitor illuminated and Essay saw a very excited alien on it, “PROPHET! THE SHIP IS OPERATIONAL! THE CONTROLS OPERATE PERFECTLY!” Kam smiled and the alien looked at Essay, “You have saved us. We owe you more than we can ever repay.”
Kam smiled, “I think you can also assist them.”
“How?”
“The species that sent you the controls is having difficulty with their wiring harnesses. Would it be possible for you to load some of the ones you’ve built into the landing bay?’
“Certainly! I’ll order a hundred moved in immediately.”
Essay looked at the alien and said, “We are able to manufacture the controls much faster than we can build the hulls. If the Prophet will assist us, we will start sending the control systems to you.”
The Bosrean appeared happy and sad at the same moment. “You are an answer to our prayers. We can never repay you for what you’re offering.”
“You are doing that with the wiring harnesses.”
“They are simple to build. We are incapable of building the control panel and computer. You are providing much more than we’re giving.”
Kam said, “Please load the wiring as quickly as possible. I’ll be back soon.”
“Thank you, Prophet. And thank you as well, Human. We’ll begin producing more harnesses immediately.”
The display went dark and Essay sighed. Kam looked at him, “Feeling guilty?”
Essay nodded, “I am. I was suspicious of your motives for wanting the electronics.”
“You are a product of your past. I suspect your leaders are having severe concerns about what I’ve done.”
“Probably.”
“Well, let’s get back and see if we can allay them.”
Essay looked out of the side viewport and saw the vehicles lining up to enter the landing bay. He shook his head. The Bosrean hadn’t hesitated to send the wiring harness. They did not have any concerns about helping a species they knew nothing about. He couldn’t say the same for his species. Kam saw his expressions and heard his thoughts. He smiled. There was more than just hope for humans becoming more than they ever thought possible. Connor restored his faith that he had made a good decision.
The hundred harnesses were finally loaded and the vehicles moved away from the landing pad. Kam activated the thrusters and the huge ship lifted and then pointed its bow at the sky. It arrived in orbit and Kam brought the ship to a stop. Essay looked at him, “What are you doing?”
“I need to vent the atmosphere out of the landing bay. Humans won’t be able to enter the bay and I don’t want to release that much sulfur into the atmosphere around the building site.” Essay nodded and watched as the yellow colored gas blew away from the side of the ship. Fifteen minutes later, the ship activated its stardrive and the stars turned into long streaks of light. Kam looked at Essay, “I imagine you’re hungry.”
Essay realized he had not eaten anything for two days, “I guess.”
“My instruments indicate my food isn’t compatible with your body.”
“I’ll be ok. I have a few pounds I can afford to lose. Emily feeds me well.”
“She really loves you, Connor.”
Essay shook his head, “That is a gift I’ll never really understand.”
Kam smiled, “I think I can. You are really good for each other.” Essay looked at him and smiled.
• • •
“Mom.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m starting to worry. Didn’t that alien say they would be back in two or three days?”
Emily sighed, “Yes, they did, Stella.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
“I want to say no but you know I am. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because he said he would. He keeps his promises and nothing in the universe will stop him from keeping it.”
Jim ran in the cave and shouted, “Something is causing a huge wind in the clearing!”
Stella jumped up and ran out of the cave as Emily grabbed Michael and followed her out. She arrived at the entrance and saw wind blowing the dirt into dust devils in the clearing. She shielded her eyes and felt the wind slow and then stop. An instant later, the large spaceship appeared and the huge door opened as they ran toward the ship. The ramp lowered as Jim jumped up on it before it stopped and ran toward the door. Stella was right behind him and they both leapt into their father’s arms. Stella started crying and Essay looked at her, “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
Stella leaned back and hit him on the arm, “You said three days!”
Essay smiled, “I did, didn’t I? We were slightly delayed picking up some items to bring back.” Essay saw Emily coming up the ramp with Michael and he lowered Jim and Stella to the floor. He went forward and took them in his arms and kissed Emily hard. They broke the kiss and Essay said, “I’ve missed you.”
Michael’s eyebrows went down, “What about me!?”
Essay laughed and kissed him on the cheek, “I’ve missed you too.”
Stella looked up at Essay, “After you left, they sent helicopters here.”
Essay’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Emily, who nodded. “I took the children in the Jeep before they arrived. The left rather quickly when they didn’t find us.”
Essay looked at Jim, “Do you have the satellite phone.”
“No, but Michael has his.”
Essay smiled and looked at Michael, “May I use your phone?” Michael frowned but handed it to him. He turned on the power and waited for it to connect. It beeped and he dialed a number. “Whitehall here.”
“I understand helicopters were sent to pick up my family.”
“They were.”
“Why?”
“Because the President is an idiot. I’ve resigned from the service because of it.”
“I don’t know if that was a good idea.”
“Why?”
“I need you performing tasks that I can’t accomplish.”
“Too bad. Some things just aren’t acceptable. Are you back?”
“I am.”
“And?”
“I’ll tell you after I pick you up. Where’s a good place to make that happen?”
“I’ll drive to your location. Where are you?”
“I’m at the cave.”
“Where’s your family?”
“They’re here with me.”
“I thought they went into hiding?”
“They did but they came back. Get moving. I’ll wait for you here.”
“You should know that they’ve arrested the scientist that helped you.”
Essay felt his anger and said, “I’ll deal with that after you arrive.”
“I’m leaving now.”
Kam walked up behind Essay and Emily said, “Aren’t you concerned about one of the satellites seeing you here?”
“No. I have a field above the ship blocking their view.”
Emily had her arms around Essay’s waist and looked up at him, “You’ve lost weight.”
Kam tilted his head, “I didn’t have anything to feed him while we’ve been gone.”
Emily grabbed his hand, “Come with me. You need to eat.”
Essay looked at Kam, “You can come with us.”
“No, I’m going to stay onboard and see what’s going on. Come back after you’ve finished your meal.”
Essay nodded and
followed Emily to the cave as Stella skipped ahead of them. Jim held the sniper rifle and kept looking up at the sky. Kam shook his head. The young male was suspicious. He turned and knew he had good reasons to feel that way.
• • •
Whitehall’s cell phone rang immediately after he activated it. He saw the number and almost turned it back off. He shook his head and pressed the connect button, “What do you want?!”
“Please hold for the President.” Whitehall almost disconnected but thought about what Connor had said.
“Admiral, I need you to come back to work.”
“You shouldn’t have sent those marines to collect my family!”
“I realize that. I recalled them as soon as you resigned and did not initiate an effort to find them.”
“Why did you do that?”
“Because I was acting like a full bore paranoid.”
“Where are they?”
There was a pause and the President said, “Satellite surveillance has seen them back at the cave. They’ve been there since I recalled the helicopters.”
“That is the only reason I might consider coming back. I’m going to drive up there and check on them. I’ll call you after I see them.”
“Connor isn’t back yet.”
“Do you doubt he’ll show up?”
“Do you?”
“No, I don’t.”
The President shook his head, “You are a better man than I am, Admiral. I’m a product of the world I’ve lived in. Old behaviors die hard.”
“At least you recognize it. Contact all the leaders and have them prepared for a conference call four hours from now.”
“Do you know something?”
“I do. Now do as I ask, please.” The call was disconnected and Whitehall saw that Essay was right. He could do things that would be difficult for him to accomplish.
He looked at his phone and pulled up the satellite phone in his directory. He didn’t have the number that came in on his home phone and he hoped the phone was on. After three attempts, he heard Connor’s son answer, “Hello.”
“Tell your father there will be a conference call with the Leaders in four hours.”