Jump Starting the Universe

by John David Buchanan

  “Thanks,” he said. He watched her turn and walk away, beguiled by everything about her. Then, he sat down in a chair and looked at the book. Its title was The People of Gafcon-49. Blackie felt himself turning red again while a slight smile crept onto his face and he began skimming the book picking out bits of information as he turned the pages.

  Gafcon-49 is the 49th planet in the Gafcon system and one of 14 that are inhabited. A unique characteristic of Gafcon-49 is the presence of the element Nitorium in the tillable portions of its upper crust. Nitorium is both mobile and bioactive and is contained in all naturally occurring potable water and locally grown foods. It is also bio-concentrated and causes the planet’s inhabitants to glow slightly, which it does in Gafconians when it reaches 0.68 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. On average Gafconians begin glowing two years after birth; the intensity of the glow appears to be associated with certain biological functions such as a person’s metabolic rate and a host of other physiological activities.

  However, once it was shown that metabolic rate alone does not determine the intensity of a person’s glow, the controversial theory of Zest was proposed. Dr. Frommer Otwillin, noted physician and famous scientist, theorized that Zest is a characteristic unrelated to normal physiological functions and may be an as yet undefined psychological or spiritual factor that magnifies the effects of Nitorium through non-biological means. The scientific community gave Dr. Otwillin a royal beating over his supposed scientific hypothesis. Of course no one participating in Dr. Otwillin’s flagellation offered an alternative theory except for Dr. Markus Vestcule, who boldly claimed that glowing was a characteristic developed when life popped out of nothingness and transported itself to Gafcon-49 on the backs of crystals. Dr. Vestcule beamed while making this pronouncement, apparently expecting to be applauded and toasted for his superior intellect and keen insight. In response to his ridiculous statement the scientific community largely decided to embrace Dr. Otwillin’s Zest theory and immediately went about suggesting ways by which the theory might be tested and proved or disproved using scientific methods.

  Markus Vestcule, aka Dr. Crystal as he was referred to behind his back, has continued to look for funding to investigate nothingness. We suspect the government will probably bankroll his research, and at some point he’ll be knighted for finding nothing. It’s all in how you word the grant proposal isn’t it? And if you-know-who in the British Isles on Terra Bulga can be knighted, well I suppose anyone can.

  Blackie closed the book and laid it on the small table next to the chair. “Did you find what you were looking for?” asked the girl who was walking by as he finished.

  “Yes,” said Blackie, then without hesitating or thinking added, “would you like to have lunch?”

  “I’d love to have lunch,” she said, “I’ll just go let my supervisor know and we’ll be off.” Blackie’s face didn’t feel red, not red at all.

  “There you are,” said Mark, “we’ve walked around forever trying to find you; this is a really big building.”

  “That’s why they have signs Mark.”

  “Hey, he’s over here,” Mark yelled to the group who were halfway across the very big room.

  “Mark, keep it down we’re in a museum,” said Blackie.

  “Yeah, I know that,” said Mark as the rest of the group walked up.

  “What’s up Blackie?” asked Wayne looking around like he had never actually been in a museum or library before or it had been a very, very long time, “lots of books in here.”

  “Nothing, just doing a bit of research and I was just about to go to lunch,” he said.

  “Well let’s go,” said Mark.

  The young library attendant walked up to the group and looked at Blackie, “I’ve told my supervisor, I’m ready,” she said.

  Mark looked at Blackie and quipped, “Research?”

  Ignoring Mark, Blackie said, “These are my friends Wayne, Amelia, Nita, and this is my brother Mark. Everyone this is...”

  “I’m Joules,” interjected the young girl quickly, realizing she and Blackie hadn’t introduced themselves, “Joules Livingston, nice to meet you.”

  “Oh, I’m Blackie,” he said to Joules, “shall we go to lunch then?”

  Mark winked at Wayne behind Blackie’s back and mouthed the words, “Blind hog finds acorn.” They went down the stairs to the main floor of the museum, under the skeleton of a bird with a 27 meter wing span, and out the main library door that was framed by two enormous book spines inscribed with the words Dormus de Libor.

  “We’ve only arrived last night,” said Blackie, “so we don’t know anything about the local establishments, could you recommend someplace to eat?”

  “Of course,” said Joules, “down this street on the right are several great restaurants, my favorite is down there.”

  “Let’s go there,” said Mark.

  “Oh no, it’s very expensive,” said Joules, “I only go there on special occasions with my mum and dad.”

  Amelia discreetly pressed the credit card into Blackie’s hand and said, “We can manage, can’t we Blackie?”

  He smiled and tucking the card into his back pocket looked at Joules, “I’d love to take you there, let’s give it a try for lunch.”

  “I’m so embarrassed, I shouldn’t have mentioned it, it’s really expensive, I only go there with my family,” said Joules.

  “It will be fine, I promise,” said Blackie, “and if it’s outrageously expensive, we’ll go somewhere else. It will be fine, I promise.” Even in the bright sun, with a slight look of embarrassment on her face Joules had a special glow about her. She was stunning.

  The restaurant was about a four minute walk from the museum. Blackie approached the Maître d’ and secured a table for six on the patio. Each of the tables was shaded by a large canopy. “How about that one,” suggested Nita who pointed to a red table and canopy near the street? The waiter led them to the table where everyone was seated then he took their drink orders.

  “You must tell me about your name,” said Amelia to Joules, “is it a family name?”

  “Yes, but no,” said Joules, “when I was born they almost named me Julia after my great-grandmother. But since no one in the family actually uses their given names, they all go by nicknames, my father decided to just name me Joules, to honor my grandmother and because Dad is obsessed with energy; he’s in the business.

  Amelia, Nita and Joules traded stories about family and then Joules asked Blackie, “What does your Dad do Blackie?”

  Mark said to Wayne, “I should listen to this, he probably knows something I don’t.”

  To which Wayne replied, “You mean about your Dad or pretty much everything?” Mark smacked him on the shoulder and Wayne faked a left jab and popped Mark on the side of the face.

  “Nice fake, I didn’t see that coming,” said Mark rubbing his jaw.

  Amelia looked at Joules and said, “They are the best of friends, inseparable and sometimes insufferable.”

  Blackie laughed and turned to Joules, “Dad was in the military service, but we don’t know exactly what he did. I asked Mom once, but she said, 'he did lots of things'. Now and then Dad would come home from the military base and tell Mom he had to take a trip. It was always the same conversation, “Buck, where are you going?” “I can’t say Nita.” “How long will you be gone?” “I don’t know.” “Are you doing something dangerous?” “Nita I’ll be just fine.” “That doesn’t answer my question E.L...” “Nita, I can’t say anything about what I’ll be doing other than I leave in two days.”

  “After Dad died one of his friends in the service told us about him volunteering for an unofficial foray into a foreign country. Once, on one of his assignments he reached a safe-house in the Middle East and wrote me a letter. He wrote how happy he was that I was making good grades in school. I don’t have an inkling how he knew about my grades and he never said. Dad never discussed his work, the military told him not to talk about it and he didn’t, not one w
ord, right to the very end.”

  Amelia asked, “Do you think he was a spy.”

  “For all we know he could have been an accountant,” said Mark. Wayne was listening closely; he had never heard Mark and Blackie discuss their family.

  “I don’t think he crossed the Bearing Straits in a dingy with two other guys dressed as Eskimos to check someone’s depreciation schedules, but we really have no idea what he did exactly,” said Blackie who was sitting facing the street. The waiter brought their drinks and shortly their food arrived. It was so aromatic and nicely presented Nita just sat enjoying the moment.

  “Nita, is everything okay?” said Mark.

  “Yes, it’s almost perfect isn’t it. It’s a beautiful day, I’m with friends, the restaurant is lovely and the food looks amazing.”

  “It’s more than looks,” said Wayne who just swallowed his first bite. “Joules, you have great taste,” he said, “in restaurants,” he added with a wink at Blackie.

  Across the street a dark gray transport pulled to the curb. Its windows were darkened, so dark you couldn’t see in. There were no distinguishing features on the transport, it was very plain and the registration plate was missing from the front fender. The transport sat there for several minutes before the back door swung open and two dark creatures stepped out from the back seat. They were short, no taller than the top of the transport, and so broad two of them probably filled the entire back seat. Blackie noticed Joules watching them also.

  “They’re Shumbrans,” whispered Joules, “look at their shadows.” Blackie had just noticed their shadows appeared thin, almost imperceptible, as if they were diluted by sunlight passing through their bodies. “Shadow beings; my Dad told me to avoid them,” said Joules quietly, “he said they are never associated with anything good.”

  “Never?” asked Blackie.

  Wayne noticed Blackie and Joules peering over his shoulder. “Something interesting going on back there,” he said, remembering how Zypho had fallen lightly to the ground behind him on Gavalkia.

  “Not yet,” said Blackie who watched the Shumbrans staring at them from across the street, “but if they are here for us they aren’t trying to hide it.” Nita inched sideways just enough to see them out of her peripheral vision.

  “They aren’t covert, they don’t understand stealth or secrecy,” said Joules, “but they are disciplined, methodic, straightforward, cold and dangerous.” Blackie sensed an uneasiness bordering on fear in her voice.

  “What are they doing?” asked Wayne.

  “Staring, said Blackie, “staring at us.”

  “Well,” said Wayne pleasantly, “that has to stop doesn’t it?”

  He started to stand up but Joules grabbed his arm, “Please Wayne, please, don’t get up, please,” she said slightly trembling. He hesitated, half standing half crouching looking at Joules then sat down.

  “If you insist,” said Wayne, “I was only going to politely ask them to shove off.”

  “They don’t interact like we do, they don’t recognize subtleties or even kidding, they are brutal and dangerous creatures,” whispered Joules.

  “What do they look like,” asked Wayne.

  “They are short and wide,” answered Nita who was keeping the Shumbrans in her peripheral vision, “they look like solidified black smoke.”

  “Joules, how do you know so much about them?” asked Amelia.

  “Some of them threatened my father,” said Joules, “so I did some research at the library to find out about them. Dad is an MP and sits on the Gafcon-49 Planetary Energy Committee. Shumbrans were upset over his handling of a piece of legislation they thought would be favorable to their business; my Dad let the bill die in committee. It was shortly afterward we found a black parchment pinned to our front door with a red nail. They don’t use lobbyists, they use force. Like I said, they don’t understand subtlety.”

  Blackie was listening intently but his eyes were locked on one of the Shumbrans. “They are leaving,” said Blackie, “at least they’re getting in the transport.” They heard the doors softly shut, but the transport remained where it was parked. Blackie looked at Joules and said, “Could this be about you?”

  “What do you mean?” said Joules.

  “They threatened your father Joules they could be here to harm you,” replied Blackie.

  It may not be a coincidence that you and they are here at the same time Joules,” Nita said, “Blackie may be right.” Blackie continued to watch the transport.

  “I have a plan,” said Amelia. She reached into her bag and pulled out a dark green scarf and passed it to Joules under the table. “Wrap it around your head,” she said. After Joules was finished wrapping the scarf, Amelia pulled a light blue scarf from her bag, waited for a short time, and wrapped her own hair. “We need to get back to the hotel, back where there are lots of people, where it will be safer. Joules come with me, we need to go to the ladies room.”

  “What for?” said Joules.

  “We’re going to exchange clothes,” said Amelia, “I’m about your size.”

  “No, I’m not going to make you a target,” said Joules.

  Amelia smiled, “That’s exactly what you are going to do, I’ll explain it in the ladies room,” she stood up and said, “Nita could you help us.”

  “What do we do?” asked Wayne.

  “Stay right where you are, don’t leave the table,” said Amelia. Nita and Joules made for the ladies room. “Wayne, please don’t do anything. I’ll explain when we return.”

  About five minutes later the girls returned to the table. Joules walked around the table to where Amelia had been, she was wearing Amelia’s clothes and wearing a light blue scarf over her hair. Amelia sat down next to Blackie wearing a green scarf on her head, a soft yellow blouse and white pants. Nita took her seat at the table. Nita looked at Wayne and Blackie, “They don’t see subtleties, so here’s the plan,” she said, and explained what they would do.

  “Is everyone ready?” asked Amelia. Joules looked worried. “I’ll be fine Joules honestly, let’s get this done.” Wayne stood up and pulled Joules chair out for her. They made a big production of saying goodbye and then began to walk slowly down the street toward the hotel.

  “So far, so good,” said Blackie, “I’d better go in and pay the bill.” He stood up and went inside and returned quickly to the table. After a few minutes they all stood up and began to walk down the street toward the museum. About two blocks down they turned into a small shop. Amelia bolted to the ladies room and changed clothes. Blackie was looking out the front window with Nita.

  “They pulled up across the street,” said Blackie.

  Mark, who was keeping an eye on the side yard, walked up to the front of the shop. “Don’t get out of that car and come over here, you’ll regret it,” he said quietly to himself while unconsciously balling his hands into fists.

  Amelia came out of the ladies room in a brown hiking outfit. “I’m headed straight for the hotel,” she said. “Wayne and Joules are supposed to alert the hotel security guards as soon as they get there and Joules will call her dad.”

  She went out the door and turned down the street. “Let’s give her enough time to get close to the hotel,” said Nita.

  The Shumbrans got out of the back seat but just stood by their transport. “Shadow beings,” said Blackie under his breath, “go back to wherever you came from.”

  “So far so good,” said Nita, “are you ready?”

  “Yeah, we’re ready,” said Mark still flexing his hands.

  “Mark, tell me you aren’t going to do anything rash,” said Nita.

  “I’m not if they don’t,” said Mark. The truth was he was looking for an excuse to confront the Shumbrans. He remembered how he felt when a friend at school had been kidnapped from the athletic field parking lot and how she was never heard from again. He remembered how distraught her family was and how inadequate he and his friends felt; not knowing what to do, or what to say, or how to feel. It made him
mad. Mark was typically slow to anger, his friends said he had a long fuse, but when he was pushed, when he finally blew it was like a volcano erupting. Mark glanced at Blackie whose teeth were clinched so hard it made his jaw stand out on either side of his face – longer fuse, same volcano. Blackie looked at Mark and slowly nodded his head.

  “Let’s go,” said Nita. They stepped out the door together but held it open, “Joules, don’t hurry on our account,” said Nita through the open door as she hooked her arm around Mark’s.

  “Take your time and do some shopping, “said Blackie loudly, “we’ll catch up later.”

  “See you later,” said Mark to the open door. The shop keeper looked around the room trying to see who they were talking to.

  Nita steered Mark toward the hotel and Blackie walked nonchalantly down the street behind them. In the next block Blackie passed them and walked up to the side of a shop pretending to look at merchandise in the window. He looked at the reflection of the street behind him to see Nita and Mark approaching and the two Shumbrans still standing next to their transport.

  “Don’t look back,” he said as they joined him at the window, “they are still next to their car; let’s keep moving.” They walked down the street casually and turned on a cross street toward the hotel. When they entered the lobby five minutes later through the turnstile Joules grabbed all three of them in a bear hug. Her eyes were moist and she couldn’t speak for several seconds.

  Amelia was sitting on a bench nearby with a fancy glass containing red and yellow liquids. “Drink anybody?” she said with a satisfied smile on her face.

  Blackie turned to Amelia, “That was an excellent plan Amelia, it worked perfectly.”

  “Oh, it was nothing, just a little shrewdness from your local astrophysicist,” she said feigning a slow sweet accent.

  Two hotel security guards were sitting in chairs near the entrance. “It doesn’t appear they followed you,” said one of the guards to Blackie as he looked out the front of the hotel, “we’ll get on with our rounds. If you see anything suspicious just have the front desk give us a call.” The security guards walked off down the hall, had a brief discussion then separated, one went through a door to the front of the hotel and the other proceeded down the hall and vanished around a corner.