Jump Starting the Universe

by John David Buchanan

  “Look at you with your fancy drink while we’re out dodging the low-life,” Nita said to Amelia who had a satisfied look on her face. Nita believed in helping others. In her time off from her part time job she volunteered to work at camps for children, and at food banks and as a tutor. Nita always had something in her transport to give to someone she thought might be hungry; her family had nurtured a strong work ethic in her and a belief in helping others.

  “Where do we get one of those?” asked Nita pointing to Amelia’s drink and realizing Joules was still hugging them.

  “Joules, did you call your Dad?” asked Mark.

  “Yes, I told him I was at The Chambers,” she said. The hotel was often visited by government ministers looking for a place to have private conversations without intrusion from the media. It had a reputation of being a media- free-zone which led to its nickname The Chambers. When a government official wished to have a meeting away from the court or legislative offices they offered to meet their party at The Chambers.

  “I thought there was trouble,” said Joules, “that they tried to stop you.”

  Mark bristled, “I’d wish they had tried.”

  “I have an idea,” interjected Wayne, “how about we all go to the lounge and get one of these?” he held up an empty glass, “except one that’s not so empty.” Off they went to the lounge. “We need six of….what were these Amelia?”

  “Gorgas Cavitas,” she said.

  “Yeah, six of those please,” Wayne said to the waiter.

  While they were enjoying their drinks one of the hotel’s front desk staff brought Joules a message from her father.

  “Dad said he’ll be here shortly,” she said to no one in particular, and she seemed to be relieved.

  “Tell me about your family,” said Blackie who thought engaging Joules in conversation might keep her mind off the Shumbrans.

  “Well there is my Dad, I’ve told you a little about him, my Mom, she’s an accounting professor at the university, and there is my brother Lecter, he’s studying to be an engineer.”

  “You work at the museum full-time?” asked Blackie. “Just for the summer then I’m back in school, I’ll be a college freshman this fall. I’d like to study paleontology.”

  Blackie remembered the enormous prehistoric bird suspended in the lobby of the museum and asked, “What made you choose paleontology?”

  “I like science and history,” she replied. “Paleontology seems like a blend of the two,” and as if she was reading his mind added, “you have to admit that prehistoric bird in the museum lobby is pretty cool. I’d like to find one of those someday, or a Quadralae glaucus.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s a huge four winged creature that probably had a body like a very large cat, but its head was something more like a bear. Parts of one have been found, but never enough parts to construct a complete skeleton.”

  Mark and Joules talked about school and friends for about half an hour when a tall athletic looking man in a dark blue suit came through the door of the lounge. “Mr. Livingston, how nice to see you,” remarked the hostess, “are you alone or shall I set a table?”

  “Thank you, but I’m just looking for my daughter and some of her friends,” he said.

  “That would be them in the large booth at the far corner,” she replied pointing toward her right.

  “Thanks,” he said and made his way toward the back of the room.

  “There’s Dad,” said Joules who jumped from her seat and gave her father a hug just as he approached the booth. Joules introduced everyone and Mr. Livingston pulled off his coat and joined them at the table. A waiter appeared immediately to take his coat and as soon as he was seated to ask if he would like a drink.

  “It looks like Gorgas Cavitas is the drink of the day,” he smiled looking at Amelia in her brown hiking clothes, “I’ll have one of those thank you.” He rolled up his sleeves and placed his forearms against the edge of the table, then wrapped his left hand around his right hand which was balled into a fist. Glancing around the table he said, “Joules tells me you helped her out of what could have been a very bad situation. Would you mind giving me the details of what happened?”

  “Blackie saw them first, parked across the street,” said Joules, “when I noticed him watching them I told him they were Shumbrans and that they had threatened you.”

  “Yeah,” said Mark, “and before Wayne could teach them it wasn’t polite to stare Amelia came up with a plan to get Joules safely back to the hotel.” They explained what they did and how the Shumbrans remained at the bottle shop waiting for Joules to come out.

  “They didn’t wait,” said Mr. Livingston. “Not long after you departed, the Shumbrans ransacked that shop looking for her. The shop keeper was hurt badly and is in the hospital. Police officers on the scene checked but there were no security cameras onsite, not that that would help much, Shumbrans are essentially identical to each other. “I want to thank you for helping Joules today, if you hadn’t been there…,” his voice trailed off. “But now I have to caution you,” He said, “the Shumbrans have linked you with my daughter and therefore with me. Unfortunately that means you may have been marked. Be careful where you go. I recommend that you not be out too late in the evening; Shumbrans are hard to see in the failing light. If by some chance you cross their paths again, I don’t recommend engaging them Wayne, they don’t understand a fair fight and they will use any means at their disposal. You can be sure they are armed. Visitors to Galfcon-49 cannot legally carry a weapon unless a permit has been issued in advance so unless you are willing to break the law you are not allowed a weapon. Tomorrow I will inquire about exemptions to that rule.”

  “I suppose the Shumbrans didn’t get a permit did they?” asked Blackie.

  “I suspect not,” came the reply. “They may have left since they botched their attempt to grab Joules but we shouldn’t let our guard down; they may try again. We should be going,” said Mr. Livingston, “my wife Linda is in a real state and expects us home soon. Thanks again for everything.”

  Joules hugged everyone and whispered in Blackie’s ear, “I’ll be at work in tomorrow if you want to drop by. I can bring you up to date on what I find out tonight.”

  “Sure,” said Blackie immediately, “I’ll come by tomorrow at lunch time.”

  “Bring everyone if you’d like,” said Joules, “it’s probably safer to move around in a group. Thanks again.”

  Joules and her father turned and walked across the room toward the hostess’ table and the lounge door. It was only then that Blackie noticed four dark suited men waiting just outside. “Security,” said Nita.

  The restaurant manager had just come by to check on them and said, “They are more than security, those men are not to be trifled with.” Wayne watched them as they turned to leave.

  “They are big,” said Wayne.

  “They are ex-military personnel,” said the manager.

  “How do you know?” asked Mark who had noticed their conversation and moved around a table to join in.

  “I’m an ex myself,” said the restaurant manager, “the one on the left is carrying a chest piece, the middle one has a back holster on his belt, and the man on the far right has two artificial lower legs; you can tell by the way he walks. I can tell you from experience, when men like that get involved there is some real trouble happening, or about to happen. Excuse me, my boss just walked in; if you need anything my name is Carter.” The man in a tan blazer at the front of the restaurant motioned Carter to join him at a table just inside the door. They sat and talked in low voices for several minutes then the man stood and walked quickly away. Carter walked back to the group. Addressing Wayne he said, “Mick asked me to tell you there will be a special security team from the Ministry on duty in the hotel during your stay. He also asked me to keep an eye on you; says you’re personal friends of Mr. Livingston. The security team will want you to stay in the hotel. There is a quite nice pool on the third floor if you
’re interested. You can call me on the house phone if you need any assistance, extension 3844,” he said as he turned and walked away.

  Blackie looked at Wayne and said, “Stay in the hotel, really? We’ve had one hotel burn down around our ears and then we were almost murdered in one. Now the one we’re in has to assign a team of security guards to look after us. I’m starting to think hotels may not be the safest of places for us to hang out.”

  “Technically, the fire and the murder attempt were in the same hotel,” said Nita with a coy smile on her face, “maybe we just have bad luck at the Phoenix.”

  “If I can find a swimsuit I going to the pool,” said Blackie.

  “You know, a swim sounds like a great idea, it might help me relax,” said Amelia. They all traipsed down to the hotel shops and everyone found a suit that fit, more or less.

  “We have a private pool in the room,” said Wayne.

  “I totally forgot about that,” said Nita, “let’s go to the room.”

  “Maybe we could order some more Gorgas Cavitas,” said Mark, and some snacks, all this hero stuff made me hungry.” Wayne faked a left jab; Mark countered and blocked his punch, then popped Wayne on the chin.

  “Oiy, nice block,” said Wayne rubbing his chin, “I’m glad you pulled that punch.”

  The next several days were dreadful. Every time one of them left the room they were shadowed by security. “Honestly, if I hadn’t been told they were here I don’t think I would have noticed them at all,” remarked Nita as they made their way to breakfast.

  “They do blend very well,” said Amelia, “what do you think Wayne?”

  “I think I’m sick of the inside of this hotel,” he said, “it’s very nice but enough is enough.”

  “Could we have the large booth in the back?” said Mark to the hostess as the rest of the group caught up with him.

  “I would arm wrestle for some Gavalkian coffee,” said Amelia as they made their way to the booth. Everyone sat down and ordered coffee. “By the way,” began Amelia, “I came down early to check our credit card account this morning. Tugurro sent another update and a thank you to everyone. I wrote down the balance, Nita would you take a look at this and tell us what its worth.”

  Amelia slipped Nita a small piece of folded paper with the hotel’s crest on the outside. Nita opened the paper and stared at the number. “Are you sure you wrote this down correctly?” she asked Amelia, “because you could buy a large vacation home on a nice beach with these credits.”

  “Excellent, Tugurro must have a real knack for the restaurant business” said Mark, “and I assume that is four fifths of the total and Tugurro put the other fifth on Nita’s card correct?”

  “No Mark I just…” began Nita but before she could finish Amelia said, “That’s right, one fifth of the credits were deposited to Nita’s card account.”

  “That shouldn’t be,” said Nita, “I didn’t do anything.” Wayne had been talking to Blackie about the Jump Starter but they were both listening to the credit card discussion now.

  “Nita, none of us actually did anything,” said Wayne. “We got ourselves thrown in jail and Mark unknowingly heisted a piece of valuable contraband. We had no idea what would happen; it’s not like we planned the whole toast thing. It was dumb luck mixed with time and circumstance. Besides if you hadn’t been kind enough to offer Mark a ride to our campsite exactly when you did who knows if the outcome would have been the same? You were there with us at the restaurant when the deal went down so you’re included. None of us have a problem with that, in fact we’re fairly pleased with the whole situation, aren’t we?” he concluded and nodded to the others. They all agreed but Nita blushed as if she wasn’t convinced she deserved a share of the restaurant profits.

  “I know what you’re thinking Nita, but we don’t deserve it either. Wayne’s right, it was dumb luck mixed with time and circumstance. That’s probably the most intellectual thing Wayne has said all year.” Mark’s face suddenly snapped forward as Wayne popped him in the back of the head.

  Nita smiled and blushed again. “Thanks, she said, “I just didn’t want to take advantage or accept something that wasn’t mine.”

  “No advantage taken and no ill-gotten gain; the matter is settled,” said Mark rubbing the back of his head. Wayne dodged Mark’s attempt to backhand him but fell off his chair in the process and everyone including Wayne burst out laughing.

  “So what are we going to do today,” said Amelia as she watched Wayne climbing off the floor into his chair.

  “I’m going to the library again,” said Blackie.

  “What exactly do you mean again,” asked Mark.

  “I’ve made a few clandestine trips to visit with Joules,” responded Blackie, “but I want to go in and see that information on the Shumbrans; I’d like to know a little more about them, and a few other things.”

  “What things?” asked Mark. “Just things; I’m trying to tie up a few loose ends that’s all. “You’re not going to tell me are you?”

  “No,” came the reply from Blackie.

  “I’ll sit and look over your shoulder the whole time you’re in the library,” said Mark.

  “It won’t’ help you,” came the reply.

  “I hate it when he gets like this,” Mark murmured to Wayne.

  “I didn’t know he could be surly,” said Wayne, “I kind of like it.”

  Their waiter approached the table with a large tray and started passing out breakfast orders. “How about we all go to the library after breakfast?” said Wayne, “I wouldn’t mind knowing a little more about Shumbrans myself.”

  Nita looked at Wayne and responded, “What about our special security,” as she nodded over her shoulder toward the hallway.

  “What about them?” said Wayne, “apparently Blackie figured out a way to slip out of the hotel unnoticed, I say we join him. Just how did you get out without being noticed?”

  “If Blackie did it, how hard it be,” said Mark with a grin, then he ducked a piece of lemon flung at his head.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  A WEAPON NOT FOR KILLING

  By all accounts Celix Nextemplis was a certified genius. He excelled at every subject he studied and at age 16 he was admitted to the Centori University in the City of Johone on Vistademlian where he began a study of biology, chemistry and engineering with an emphasis in non-organic life forms. Celix was a quick study and in two and a half years received his Primary Degrees in all three fields. Two years later Celix completed his High Degree and became Dr. Nextemplis. His studies of silicon based life forms gave him the perfect background to become a professor, and he did, just not for as long as he had planned. Celix was being watched. He was being watched very closely and without knowing it he was going to be tested.

  “Cel, you want to join me for lunch?” asked Liz.

  “Yes,” came the reply quickly, “let me stuff these notes... there, I’m ready.” They made their way through the line at The Commons Deli and found a table near the middle of the room.

  “It’s packed in here,” said Liz.

  “Down to the wire isn’t it?” said Celix, “everyone is in a hurry to get in that last bit of studying before their last exams. Do you hear that?” he checked his phone but it was muted.

  “Hear what?” said Liz.

  “That music.”

  “No I don’t hear music, maybe someone has their player on,” she looked around as if to see someone listening to music without ear-buds.

  “I heard this all last week, I heard it yesterday on my break, then between classes, and I’m sure I heard it this morning before my first lecture. I’m hearing this everywhere I go,” he said.

  “Maybe its tinnitus,” said Liz.

  “No, it’s not ringing,” he scowled, “it sounds like music, like someone playing a melody softly in my ears.”

  “Maybe it’s just in your head,” she said. They finished lunch and decided on a short walk around campus before heading back to teach their next cl
asses.

  “How about we walk around the pond at the drama building, said Liz.

  “Sure, we have time for that,” said Celix.

  The drama building was a red brick, saucer-shaped building on shorts stilts that was completely surrounded by a large pond. The pond was circled by a sidewalk and driveway with drop off spots at each of the three pedestrian bridges that led to the building. They were about halfway around the pond when a large black limousine pulled slowly past them and stopped in front of the east bridge. The driver got out of the limo and approached them.

  “Dr. Nextemplis, do you have a moment for a brief word with my clients?” he said as he turned slightly and motioned to the limo. Celix was taken off-guard; this was an odd way to propose a meeting; no letter, no phone call.

  “I’m sorry but I’ve just got time to finish a quick walk then it’s back to the school for my next class,” he replied.

  “Then, could I have just a word then,” said the driver as he stepped backward several meters. Celix made to advance but Liz caught him by the arm.

  “I’m sure it’s fine,” said Celix, “why don’t you head back and I’ll see you after?” Liz looked at the large limousine, then the driver who was smartly dressed in his dark outfit and white shirt, and she dismissed the subconscious feeling that something was not right. She stared back toward the school but hesitated and turned toward the limousine. Celix was standing close to the driver with his ear inclined in a manner that suggested neither party wanted to be overheard. There was something wrong, it screamed in her subconscious but just as she started to advance Celix looked back, gave her a big smile and waved. She stopped and smiled, turned back toward the school and didn’t see Celix again for three years.

  The driver escorted Celix to the door and opening it said, “Here you are, Doctor.” Celix lowered his head and climbed deftly into the limousine. He saw them out of the corner of his eye and tried not to react before he sat down. In the seats at the very back of the limo sat two translucent beings. They were squared off, their heads were squared; their shoulders were three quarters of a meter wide and perfectly squared off. Their thin arms were like two rectangles that actuated in the middle where an elbow should have been and their rectangular hands were placed on their legs, which looked exactly like their arms only longer and ending in feet, rectangular feet. The driver stood outside the door with his back to the limousine.