Galactic Earth

by Luthra, G. S.

  “Nothing,” he smirked looking away.

  “Come on, tell me.”

  “No, it’s nothing I just thought you looked like someone I used to know in space.”

  “Oh yeah, she must’ve been gorgeous.”

  Gudama laughed.

  “She’s your girlfriend isn’t she?” Layla said playfully while eager to hear his response.

  He merely smiled while shaking his head.

  Squinting, Layla noticed an anomaly.

  “What’s that crescent moon on your forehead?”

  “Oh this,” Gudama said pointing? “It’s a side effect from all the years of meditation I’ve been doing to awaken my third eye.”

  “Oh,” she said blinking, “does it do anything?”

  “So far psychic abilities,” he said letting a sigh, “Perhaps someday it’ll burn away all my troubles,” he said reclining back with folded hands behind.

  Gudama’s eyes looked out into the ocean while Layla studied his every gesture like an interrogator. Externally she displayed a jovial persona, but deep down was hurting as if her heart had been pierced. She recognized his body language from previous men, suspecting that Gudama’s love belonged to someone else.

  Soon after they went inside, Gudama returned with his normal space like attire and together with Luke prepared dinner. Layla browsed around the library finding books ranging from electronics to astrology. After a good meal, Luke stood by as if awaiting a decision from Gudama who was looking down at the floor thinking as the moonlight began to take over the skies.

  “Luke, take care of the lighthouse,” he said

  “But sir, how can you be so sure you can trust this human? Don’t let her naivety cloud your judgment!” Luke pleaded.

  “Luke,” Gudama said looking at him boldly.

  “Yes sir,” Luke said letting out a big concerning sigh. He put his head down and left the room.

  “What’s going on?” she asked concerned.

  “Layla, would you like to go into outer space?”

  “Like hell I would, are you kidding me?” she said.

  Gudama acknowledged her, “Come with me.”

  No freaking way am ’I really going into space, she thought!

  “I have your normal clothes cleaned and dry.”

  “You washed my clothes?” asked Layla.

  “Yes, I iron pressed them myself,” replied Gudama.

  “You’re so kind, thank you,” she said.

  Outside in the dark, Gudama and Layla stood by a cliff on top of a hill. It was late at night and Layla was getting chills.

  “What are we doing here?”

  “Hidden doors exist on your earth,” Gudama said staring at the full moon. The moonlight crept closer to their location rapidly.

  “In the midst of darkness,” Gudama said while watching the lunar light come closer, “light reveals the way,” he said turning around as the celestial luminance covered the area. Layla turned around to see what he was looking at and gasped at the sight of an etheric looking door about twenty feet from them revealed only through the moonlight.

  “Hurry, we must move. It won’t stay open long,” Gudama said taking her hand. He sensed danger as they sprinted towards the moon door, Layla hardly being able to keep up with his pace.

  He’s so fast, I might as well just let him drag me, she thought while running.

  Piercing through her flesh, the penetration of lead through Layla’s body caused her to drop to her knees in screaming pain.

  “What the,” Gudama said shocked?

  A stealth helicopter was picked up by Gudama’s peripherals, “Dame,” he said.

  Black ops opened fire at them while in pursuit. With superhuman reflexes Gudama deflected a few rounds with his wrist armor and swiftly sprinted towards the door of light carrying Layla, who was losing consciousness.

  “Target not visible, repeat target has lost visibility,” a soldier reported.

  “Aim near the door, that’s where he’s heading,” instructed higher authority.

  Gudama zipped so fast, that it was too difficult to shoot him, especially in the tall grass. As he neared the door, a sniper on the helicopter gave up and instead readied a rocket launcher.

  “Incoming!” he said as the weapon was fired.

  Black ops backed off as the rocket drew nearer.

  “Huh?” Gudama said as he saw the approaching projectile.

  Summoning energy from within, Gudama focused power in his hands in a circular ritual motion. He’s eyes were razor locked on the enemy target.

  “Gitma,” he uttered.

  Gudama let out a battle cry and projected a bright golden beam of light, blowing up the rocket and causing the other men to seek cover from the explosion. After the debris cleared, they resumed taking aim, but Gudama was too close.

  Realizing the door was fading, Gudama leaped head first and went through the portal of light. Black ops opened fire, but the door had already vanished, Gudama and Layla along with it.

  “Shoot!” said a soldier.

  Beaming intense light caused Layla to slowly open her eyes. She awoke and found herself in a neat room that had materials she never saw before. She got up from the red bed, and exited the room. The floor felt like very expensive polished porcelain and Layla carefully made her way while holding her white thin silk like garment. She came to a big room with sophisticated technology and saw a giant window where the earth appeared smaller.

  “Oh my God,” she gasped seeing her distant home planet though glass.

  “How do you feel?” said a soft spoken male.

  Layla turned and screamed so loud it shook the entire ship. The voice belonged to a very tall thin blue humanoid alien.

  “Layla,” Gudama said running over!

  “Wha-what is that?” she said clinging to him.

  “This is Andaglios, but you can call him Andy. He’s helping me to free earth. Andy this is Layla,” he said introducing them.

  The tall blue man smiled, but Layla was terrified of him barely mustering a smirk.

  “Please forgive her, first time outside of earth,” said Gudama with prayer clasped hands.

  “It’s quite alright,” Andy said.

  “My goodness it’s him, the alien from your book,” she said with non-blinking eyes.

  “Yes, we are working together to help your world as it is very much in need of assistance. The potential for danger is just too great to ignore as you have just experienced,” answered Andy.

  An awkward silence filled the space as Layla stared at him motionless clinging onto to Gudama.

  “Perhaps it is best if I left you two alone. I shall be in the command room if you need me,” Andy said.

  “Yes, thank you,” said Gudama humbly.

  After Andy left, Gudama rubbed Layla’s arm to comfort and calm her down.

  “You ok?”

  “Wha…I-what happened? All I remember was this excruciating pain and seeing lights,” Layla said struggling to put together words.

  “The secret government tried to stop us from entering the door, but I managed to get us through safely. We were able to heal you and placed you in a room to rest.”

  “You took off my clothes?” Layla said looking at her new garment.

  “No, actually Andy was the one that did it. I didn’t feel it was right of me.”

  “What, are you crazy? How could you let him do that!” she said slapping him, “Ouch!” she said shaking her hand, “You’re like a hunk of iron.”

  “I’m sorry, but we had to heal you of your wound. I wasn’t expecting a government strike like that,” said Gudama.

  “Great, first I get shot and then stripped down and wrapped in baby silk by a blue alien!” Layla said.

  “We only wanted to help, would you rather have died?”

  “No!” she revolted, “I understand…sorry about smacking you,” said Layla calming down.

  “Yea, I can see that,” Gudama said seeing her hand.

  “Geez, what are yo
u made of?” Layla commented looking at her red hand, “What were those lights, I remember hearing a boom,” she asked.

  “I can project energy from my hands,” Gudama explained.

  “No way,” she said!

  “Way,” Gudama said showing a minor display of energy between his hands.

  “You really are an alien,” she said leaning in wide eyed at the sight.

  “Come, let’s sit.”

  Gudama led her down a step to an area in the middle of the room and spoke a dialect in another language. Out popped seats beneath them and Gudama gestured to sit. He said another foreign word and a glass appeared on a table where he poured some milk like water.

  “Drink this, it’ll soothe your nerves,” he offered.

  Layla had a sip and instantly felt better.

  “What is this? It’s like water, but it tastes sweet.”

  Gudama just smiled.

  “I’m sorry for acting like that to your friend, I just really wasn’t prepared for all of this,” Layla said apologetically, appalled at herself for hitting him.

  “It’s ok, he understands. He startled me too when I first saw him,” said Gudama.

  “The view is incredible,” she said looking at earth.

  “Beautiful right, don’t worry the military can’t see us, this ship operates on a higher frequency invisible to their technology. They could fly right through us and not even know.”

  “How can that be?”

  “Remember I told you the ships are condensed light? This is one of them,” he said with a grin.

  Layla smiled at him feeling safe, calm, and at peace.

  “You know, this whole adventure has been mind-blowing. Ever since I saw your message, I knew I had to find you. I didn’t know how, but I just knew we would meet. You’re like the answer to all of my inner desires. Everything I yearned to express, but didn’t know how only to sit in meditation letting it dwell internally. Now, you’re here, and my life has never been this magical. I don’t mean to offend or imply anything when I say this, but Gudama you’re someone I feel like I can trust. I can’t explain it, but I feel as though your otherworldliness makes me feel like I can tell you anything without fear. I’ve known you for only a day, yet you’ve saved my life, given the best hospitality I’ve ever had, and have shown me a world I never knew existed. If there’s anything you ever need, please let me know and I’ll do everything within my power to help you. I understand you have your mission, but Gudama, all this is like a dream come true and I don’t want it to end,” she said to him.

  Gudama slowly rubbed his hands in deep thought, appearing to be in hesitation as though he wanted to communicate, but was cautious.

  “Layla I have something very important to ask you.”

  Her full attention was given with senses keenly attuned. Gudama stood up looking at the earth through the giant window. Layla walked to him and found the view breathtaking.

  “Your planet is in grave danger. It seems your government is planning another scheme to centralize power. I want to help, but I have to abide by earth and intergalactic laws. That means in order to continue, I need another human representative of earth who voluntarily accepts my help. I’ve been waiting for the right person to accompany me to reach out to the citizens of this world and give them what they need to save themselves. I believe you are that person.”

  “Why me, how do you know?” she asked curious about his conclusion.

  “You came all the way here to find me.

  I’m assuming you’ve read my manuscript as well?”

  Layla nodded.

  “Anyone willing to go through all that trouble is truly dedicated and worthy of my trust,” Gudama said.

  Layla was ecstatic, jumping for joy inside.

  “Gudama, it would be an honor, I will do everything I can to help you,” Layla said standing up with her fist clenched to her chest.

  “Good,” he said motioning for her to follow him to which she did to another area of the ship.

  Andy was waiting back at the command room. He smiled and Layla was able to return it this time with a friendly expression of her own.

  So futuristic, she thought observing all of the lights, gadgets, and technology working in harmonious synchronicity.

  “Is she prepared?” asked Andy.

  Gudama looked at Layla who met his eyes. Chemistry was sensed by Andy who felt their thoughts during their energy exchange. He stood in silence awaiting their decision with his head slightly tilted downward.

  “Layla Lolland, do you agree to accept the assistance of my fleet for the evolution of earth?”

  “I do,” replied Layla.

  Gudama looked back at Andy and nodded. Andy rose his neck up in acknowledgment and smiled, giving him the ok. Gudama withdrew a small ball looking device from his belt and turned it on. Out projected a holographic image with wondrous advance structures and symbols. Layla’s mouth opened wide.

  “Incredible,” she said.

  Gudama placed it on the platform and turned to her.

  “We’ve got some planning to do, are you ready?”

  Layla looked into his eyes they both momentarily studied each other. Acknowledging, Layla let out a big broad smile.

  “Let’s do it,” she winked giving him a thumb up.

  Gudama smiled, happy to have finally found someone he can trust.

  Only Human

  Powerful energy flowed through Layla as her life had a fresh new meaning with a higher purpose she sought after her entire young adult life. Adrenaline pumped tons of ample nourishment and strength to perform enormous amounts of work for their strategy to reach more people. Through Layla’s help, Gudama and Andy were able to develop a new approach better suited to earth’s social relations. Using the ship’s technology, Layla made important contacts at Lolland Press, arranging interviews to be broadcasted live for Gudama scheduled on the next day. After completion, Andy offered the juice of a pink fruit which was bitter yet satisfying to Layla’s nutritional needs.

  “We cannot thank you enough Layla,” Gudama said.

  “My pleasure,” she replied.

  “Let’s get some sleep soon, we’ll need it.”

  “Yea,” Layla said letting out a big yawn. Her tummy growled, alerting the two men.

  “But first, let’s eat,” said Gudama laughingly.

  In the dining area, Layla was served a bowl of fruits and raw vegetables.

  “That’s it?” she asked looking at her food.

  “I know it doesn’t look like much, but the crops grown here contain a hundred times the nutritional value of your earth’s best,” Gudama said munching.

  Andy nodded with a smile and with that Layla ate. After eating she was led back to her room.

  “Sleep well ok? We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

  “I will, thank you,” Layla said, she pulled his head closer and kissed him on the cheek.

  Gudama froze. Nerves shot up in her entire body.

  “Goodnight,” he said and left. The door automatically shut tight.

  “Oh my God, what have I done?”

  Layla paced back and forth.

  I don’t know what came over me, it just happened, she thought!

  “Nice going Layla, you finally obtained his trust and now you pull this off!” she grunted with her hands clenching in her hair.

  She jumped on her bed and smashed the pillow.

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” she said while punching the cushion.

  She sat on it running her hands through her hair which she then pulled, letting out a disgruntled sound. She folded her arms on her knees and dropped her head in disappointment.

  “Oh well, it is what it is.”

  Tossing and turning, hours flew by as Layla couldn’t get herself to sleep. She lay on her back contemplating what to do.

  I should go apologize, how ill-mannered of me, she thought.

  She battled with herself whether or not to let it go.

  One part of her brain told her i
t was not a big deal while the other demanded that she explain it was just a kind gesture of gratitude.

  “Argh!” she growled in frustration, burying her head in the pillow.

  She sprung on the side of the bed, tapping her folded arm as she pondered her next move.

  Gudama stared out through the big window into space, gazing at the stars and the earth with the look of a bold warrior.

  “There isn’t much time,” said Andy from behind.

  “I know, don’t worry, we’ll save it. I didn’t come here to fail.”

  “And of the woman,” asked Andy.

  “What about her?”

  “I sense she has strong feelings for you,” Andy said.

  “Heh, good, all the more her help is guaranteed. After our job is done, we leave. I didn’t come here looking for love.”

  A sound was heard behind them. Gudama and Andy looked at each other. Opening Layla’s door, Gudama whispered her name to check if she was still awake. Layla’s body was found motionless on the bed wrapped in the warm garment provided. The back of her head was all he could see. Gudama left as the door shut itself, little did he know Layla lay in tears with chest pain. Upon returning to Andy, Gudama had a puzzled look on his face. Telepathically, Andy expressed concerned.

  “It’s her, something doesn’t feel right,” said Gudama.

  “How much longer do you intend to stay on earth?”

  “Not long, a few more weeks assuming everything goes according to our plan.”

  “Yes, assuming,” replied Andy sharing his doubt.

  “You’re the one who made me operate under their rules. If it were up to me, I’d fix everything in one month.”

  “Let’s see how you do this month,” Andy said telepathically.

  “Did somebody sneak up on me?” said Layla emerging from behind them.

  “Layla, thought you were sleeping,” said Gudama.

  “How can I, I’m in space. Why are you awake?”

  “Just maintaining the ship,” he replied.