by Gary Starta
“No, Mitch. Trust me. Local officials steer clear of the canyon. For them, it’s a place where all the space kooks converge.”
Mitchell threw up his hands. “Well, welcome to space kook central.”
Dan laughed. “Trust me, Mitchell. Standard police have no interest in involving themselves in UFO chasing. Just take some breaths. It might even be someone who can help us.”
Mitchell stared at him. “Oh, you mean someone else will come along to save the world, because we have obviously failed!”
Evan scaled the wall and landed about three feet in front of Mitchell and Dan.
“Nice of you to drop in, Evan. What do you think we have here? Our friend Dan doesn’t believe it’s of any concern.”
Evan nodded. “He may be right. Rusty believes it’s Bill. You know, the nice Hopi man who rejected us.”
Mitchell pinched the bridge of his nose. “Makes sense, he’s searching for Rusty.
“Let’s just hope we don’t have to put out yet another fire. Although, I suppose in a while it won’t matter anymore.”
Iris dropped in front of him.
“Nice landing. Are you trying to become some kind of superhero or something?” Mitchell teased.
“I already am.” She turned to the helicopter. “And I don’t think we are out of time—at least not in a conventional sense.”
BILL LANDED his helicopter and entered the canyon with no aggression except for the excited yelps of his accompanying collie, Tawa.
There were no words exchanged. Bill and Rusty embraced.
“This is touching,” Kassidy remarked.
Rachel punched her arm.
“I mean it. This poor young man obviously carries the weight of his people on his shoulders. I just hope the old man is wise enough to redirect his energy to positive use.”
Rachel placed a hand on Kassidy’s brow as if checking for fever.
“Okay, maybe drying out has opened my perspective.” Kassidy clasped Rachel’s hand. “I’m just glad we’re all still here, considering . . .”
Kassidy turned her head toward the arguing.
Mitchell’s voice was raised. So was Evan’s.
“Uh, oh, that sounds serious,” Rachel said to Kassidy, “let’s go defend our girl.”
BILL AND Rusty continued to embrace. Tawa raced around them in circle, kicking up brown dust clouds. It continued as if some timeless scene trapped in a snow globe. Meanwhile, Kassidy and Rachel had scaled the wall to find the source of the ruckus.
“Hey,” Kassidy said to the arguing trio, “mind keeping it down. People are trying to mend here.” She pointed toward the reunited Hopi.
“We’re not arguing. We’re discussing,” Iris responded.
“Iris has an intriguing idea. We’re yelling out of excitement, and to be heard over that damn racket from the helicopter. When he is going to kill the engine?” Evan complained.
Iris threw her arms over the shoulders of her fellow ghost hunters. In the middle, she was in a better position to be heard.
“I was thinking about how Evan had explained the defense system. It would effectively bounce the light directed at us back into space. Then I thought there might be another means to deflect the light or at least, a means to avoid it. You guys remember the time slip. We thought it was some kind of poltergeist.” Rachel and Kassidy nodded.
“But guys, we know for sure it’s the result of the object in tandem with the OBOLs. Because recall, when we searched for the power source and requested the help of the OBOLs they gave it to us. But they could not help throwing us into a time slip. After we managed to find the source, the OBOLs must have had to back away so as not to cause another slip. Are you following me so far?”
She paused until they nodded once more. But both women wore frown lines and furrowed brows. “Okay, I realize we’re not scientists. It’s hard for me to express this. It’s probably going to be even harder for this to have a probability of working. But let’s suppose we can cause a massive time slip. Evan likened this to entering the fourth dimension, a dimension of time. I think we can make this happen with the OBOLs assistance.”
“But we can’t get the power source to hold. Correct?” Rachel asked.
Evan, standing across from the woman with arms folded, nodded. “But we may not have to have it hold for long. The last connection lasted nearly thirty-three minutes. Possibly, enough time for Iris’s plan to work.”
The women nodded. Kassidy waggled her finger as if a child waiting for the storyteller to continue.
“I think if we all enter a time slip, we can sidestep the enemy threat. Think of the plague as an oncoming truck. It’s bearing down on us. But we have the capacity to sidestep it. We can essentially just move ourselves out of the way.”
Dan’s jump off the ledge was as not so catlike as the others. He fell to his knees and began cursing his joints. Mitch extended a hand to lift him back to his feet.
Iris pointed at her Dad. “Kind of like that. But with more grace.”
“Ah, what did I miss?” Dan asked, winded.
“Where were you?” Iris asked.
“Oh, just appreciating the Camden family reunion. You know, I think we should get a dog.”
Iris put a finger against her lips.
Dan mimicked the gesture and nodded for her to continue.
“As I was saying, we sidestep the oncoming truck. The Greys only have one chance at this, according to Galloway. Once they’ve discharged the weapon we can step back into our time.”
Iris explained the power source would fail and cause everything to return to normal time. Evan added there would be missing time and for the most part, a large percentage of the population would probably never remember what had happened.
“But where would we go? In this fourth dimension . . .” Rachel asked.
Iris pursed her lips. “I don’t know. But it’s our last chance. I don’t think we’ll have time to scout out another viable power source.”
“She’s right,” Mitchell said to Rachel. “Even science experts like us can’t project where we’ll all be in this time slip.” Mitchell nodded to Evan. Kassidy grimaced and harrumphed.
“But that still leaves a huge problem,” Rachel pointed out. “How will we know when to enter the time slip? Won’t we have to know when the enemy is discharging the light weapon? The power source will only hold for minutes.”
Iris nodded. “That’s where the raised voices came in, Rache. Not everyone is confident I can get Ron to cooperate. But think about it, he’s experiencing visions of a ship. He believes it to be alien. I believe it to be the ship carrying the weapon. If we can time its arrival to our orbit, we can project when it will be in position to fire. That’s when we enter the time slip. And because of alien arrogance, they have unwittingly given us a means to track their moves—hopefully, it will be their last move.”
“Or, ours.” Kassidy’s tone was singsong. “I have to say, Iris. This is a little farfetched. I mean, you’re asking the entire planet to sidestep a bullet.”
“There’s beer at the end of the tunnel, Kassidy. Now you have a positive image to reflect on. Believe it can happen and it will.” Iris cupped her free hand around her friend’s chin. “Do it for me. Pretty please . . .”
“I think I’ll defer my beers to Iris. She clearly needs them more than I do.”
The teams enjoyed Kassidy’s jest. Any break from the reality of their new reality was welcomed.
BILL NODDED from side to side. “No, I don’t think it’s farfetched.” His voice barked above the copter’s engine. “I never think hope is farfetched.” He arched an eyebrow at Iris who rode shotgun.
Dan and Tawa shared the backseat.
“Enjoying the view, Mr. Camden?” Bill asked.
“Oh, yes.” He whisked dog hair off his pants. “I got the best seat in the house.”
Iris suppressed a laugh. She was well aware Dan wasn’t enjoying the view although the rocky terrain below was awe inspiring if not breathtaking.
Dan was too busy thwarting the romantic advances of Tawa.
Bill chuckled. His laugh still had enough volume to rumble above the engine’s whine and the rotor’s whir. “She likes to lick your face, Mr. Camden. She’s a good girl.”
“I can tell.” Dan scowled at Iris. He mouthed a sarcastic “thank-you.”
She read his mind. His appreciation dripped of sarcasm.
“I take it you met Rusty. How about that boy, huh? Coming out here to save our civilization . . . and to think . . .” He pointed an index finger at his temple. “I was foolish enough to push him to it. You know, Mr. Camden, we elders need to respect our youth more. In turn, they will become more respectful of us. Don’t you think?”
Dan sat hunched. “Oh yes. Rusty is a good boy. Quite a good boy, in fact.”
Iris rolled her eyes and redirected her gaze to the scenery. Thanks to Bill and his chopper they still had a slight chance to retrieve Ron from his Colorado home before time became their disadvantage.
AS THEY WALKED up Ron’s drive, Iris pinched her father’s arm.
“Remember, Dad. You’re the one who asked if there was any way you could help. And now, you will.”
“I know. I know. I will try.”
Iris sneered. “You will do more than try. You will convince Ron what he’s seeing is not illusion. And furthermore, that he can save us all. But more importantly, that he still has a chance to save himself. Because, Dad, unlike your organization, people like me still value the individual.”
As they entered the foyer, Iris excused herself. “Sorry to bring all this company without notice. Uh, this here is Bill and his dog, Tawa.”
Ron shrugged his shoulders as if noncommittal.
“I know, Ron. It’s a lot to take in. Truth is I just met Bill and his dog.”
Tawa yipped and danced, her claws produced ticking sounds on Ron’s tiled floor.
“But they came here to help you. And, so did my father.” She pointed to her left. “Dad, say hello to Ron.”
Dan grabbed Ron’s hand. Ron arched an eyebrow at Iris.
“Yes, Ron. It’s my Dad. We’re sort of having a reunion.”
Iris rambled, feeling a necessity to fill in empty air space. “Ron knows all about our stormy family relationship . . .”
Ron blurted out. “I know he never believed in what we did. That’s what I know.”
“But life is change. Ron, you know that more than anyone.” Her eyes fell to the floor. After a moment, she shook her head. “I won’t let your alteration remain negative. Ron, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can use your change for the benefit of us all.”
Ron pursed his lips. Iris feared he was about to throw them out of his home.
Iris slipped her arm around Ron and escorted him to a chair. She positioned herself before him, knees on the floor. It was a pleading gesture. Yet it also ensured Ron would remain seated.
“Take a seat, Ron. Everyone, please take a seat.”
Bill fell onto a velour couch and Tawa pounced onto his lap.
Dan remained standing. “Dad, go on.” She motioned toward the sofa. “It’s safe.” She turned her face away from Ron and gritted her teeth. “I promise.” Dan begrudgingly sat.
“Are you here to talk about the ships?” Ron closed his eyes for a moment. “I already told you about them. I see them for no purpose. They haunt me. How can this be anything but negative?” He opened his eyes. “They’ve taken what they want from me, for whatever purpose.”
Iris grabbed his hand. “But that’s the good news. We’ve learned their purpose. It may not coincide with their original plan.” She stopped to consider that plan. If Galloway was correct, Ron would be turned into a sleeper agent or some kind of on the spot general engineered to lead a re-engineered humanity down a very oppressive path. “How would you like to take revenge?” Her eyes grew bigger. “How would you like it?”
Tawa yipped.
“I wouldn’t know how.”
“We will help you, of course.” She encircled the room with a finger. “All of us are here to help. Not to mention my team. They’re in Arizona waiting for us. They’re cooped up in some hot camper. But it’s not only their discomfort I worry about. We’re on a schedule. It’s all going to come down to one thing: time. But the good news is that we still have some of that time in our favor.”
“Is your boyfriend there?”
“Yes. He is. I think he would like to meet you. He’s an investigator. Like you were . . .”
“Oh.” Ron’s eyes fell to the floor.
“I have some good people on my team. There’s Kassidy and Rachel. They’re really good friends, and they can be your friends as well.” She lifted his chin so his eyes would meet hers. “There are a lot of nice people out there who need your help. I don’t want to speak for you. But I think you need them as well.”
“I haven’t really left my yard. How am I supposed to go to Arizona?” He rocked in his chair. Iris imagined the rocking paranormally propelling him upwards.
Bill jabbed a thumb at the window. “Didn’t you hear my whirlybird? She soars above the most ferocious winds. She will take us there without a hitch.”
“No,” Ron responded. “I didn’t mean it literally. I am not equipped . . .” He pointed at his skull. “I am not fit. I could hurt some of those nice people.”
Iris cocked her head at Dan. “Help me.”
Dan fumbled his way off his seat. “Sorry, just some pain kicking in.” He groaned and placed a hand at his lower back. “I can tell you I spent my entire life in exploitation, when it should have been in exploration. Like you were doing, Ron. I admire what you’ve done. You’ve inspired my daughter.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I wish I was in the position to help like you, but I’m not.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat this. There are aliens among us. You are not crazy. They manipulated you. What you see, those ships . . .” He pointed a finger upward. “They’re real, my friend. Some of my colleagues died because of it. And trust me, those types of colleagues would not risk dying over an illusion. I apologize for my line of work and those who employed me. I let myself be a pawn. I come here, humbly, begging your assistance. Ron, I can’t allow my daughters to die or become some tool. This evolution that’s coming, it’s going to kill about six out of seven people if what my daughter heard is correct. You can’t just sit by—”
Ron barked, covering his ears with his hands. “Yes, I have acknowledged my affliction is real. The aliens are real. Of course they are! But who, except for this small circle of people, would ever believe what you’re saying? I know you haven’t, not in the past. I’ve had conversations with your daughter. She said you denied alien existence. Why are you changing your tune? How can I believe you aren’t spewing some alien propaganda that will only cause things to get worse?”
Dan placed a hand on top of his head. “I am not a good man. I believed my intentions were good. But they were for my benefit. I wanted to be special, to escape a mundane life. You can be sure as sunshine that I am not here to spew alien propaganda. I hate those bastards. I hate how they use us as resources. How they used you! Ah! What more can I say? Ron, it’s selfish of me, but I need you to correct my mistakes. My fucking asshole mistakes that cost me my family . . .” Dan slid his hand onto his forehead and paced.
Iris grimaced. “Okay, Dad. Thanks for the melodrama. You can sit down now.”
Dan waved an angry hand at the couch.
Bill and Tawa cocked their heads toward him in unison.
Dan slumped onto the couch. “I’m sorry, everyone. I’m sorry.” Tawa licked his outstretched hand.
Iris explained her plan, hoping that its logic would force the investigator inside of Ron to reveal himself.
“You can help us locate their ship. And we can stop the plague.”
He leaned back and let his head slide back so he viewed the ceiling.
Iris sighed. She was desperate and out of tactics. Almost . . .
“Ron, do you want to save me? I wa
nted to save you. I should have. I’m sorry I failed you. I am selfish to ask this. But can you do this for me?”
Ron grumbled. His rocking subsided. “That is selfish, Iris. You should be thinking of DJ, someone else besides yourself. You know, maybe that’s why I got mind fucked in that hotel. Maybe you were slacking off . . .” Ron rocked back and forth on his seat.
Iris welcomed the anger. At the very least it was communication. And then it dawned on her. She had to tell him about DJ.
“Ron, what if I told you my sister is an alien?” She paused to absorb his stare. “Yes, that’s right.”
“How can that be?” Ron scoffed. “You’re her sister.”
“Remember, I’m her half sister. But you see, not all aliens are against us. DJ is Reptilian. They fought for us against the Greys. But the Greys have one final chance to take our planet. We not only owe humanity, we owe the Reptilians for trying to save us. Most of these aliens have died to defend us.”
“Well, they did their best then. Kudos to them . . .”
Iris bowed her head. It was all but over.
Bill snapped his fingers and Tawa pounced off his lap.
She all but leapt toward Ron.
“Ooh, down, girl. Down, Tawa,” Iris reprimanded.
“No. It’s all right.” Iris caught a flicker of a smile in Ron’s eyes.
He cupped a hand around her muzzle. “You resemble that famous dog, you know.”
Iris crossed fingers out of Ron’s view.
“She’s very beautiful, isn’t she?” Bill asked Ron.
“Yes, sir, she is.” Ron nestled closer to Tawa, and she nuzzled his chin.
Bill crossed his arms and pontificated. “She’s nature’s beauty.”
Iris smiled. She hoped she knew where this conversation was leading. She offered a lead. “I should be more thankful for all the beautiful creatures. I feel bad that I haven’t.”
“Don’t worry,” Ron said. “We get busy, wrapped up in ourselves. Damn, I wanted to learn the mysteries of the universe. But when you devote yourself to that cause, you fail to see the beauty all around you.”