by James Duggan
“Live long blue planet. Good lucky.”
Buck grinned at the quirky English apparently being transmitted from the sphere. He turned to Charlie, Molly and Annie.
“It looks like the human race has been given a second chance. Let’s hope we have the sense to grasp it. We’ll need all the ‘lucky’ we can get to put the world back on track.”
Half the population gazed skywards as the spectacular seamless silver orb grew slowly smaller. The other half watched on every electronic device at their disposal as the restored televised image receded beyond their visual tolerance.
The whole world observed in bewilderment as every piece of orbiting space equipment with the power to do so beamed images of their new god across their screens until it disappeared beyond the cosmic horizon.
Buck thought of his young British associate. Between them and with the help several hundred thousand others they had experienced a fantastic adventure and witnessed the salvation of the world by a force totally beyond their comprehension.
He turned to congratulate Ringo for his part in it all, but nobody was there; just a well worn Stetson on the hook of a hat rack in the corner.
Ringo Smith was never seen or heard of anywhere again…at least not in this world.
***
Another message from the author.
If you have enjoyed this fictional narrative and are now endowed with a surplus of the ‘feel good factor’ please feel free to leave a review on the Amazon website. In the same way you may wish to pass on recommendations to friends and acquaintances on your favourite social media channel.
Characters - in order of introduction.
Kimimaru Takayama ‘Charlie’ – Buck’s assistant.
Annie Casper – Buck’s specialist on the Asteroid Belt.
Patrick Buchanan ‘Buck’ – Head of Hubble administration.
Molly Flanagan – another assistant of Buck.
Christie – Buck’s secretary.
Jim Clarke – Administrator JPL Asteroid Watch Pasadena.
Barny – Administrator Jodrell Bank.
Pierre Bourbon – Director of the European Space Agency.
Mike McConnell – Director of the FBI.
Ringo Smith – Liverpool maverick genius.
Ryan Richards – President USA.
Joan Oliveira – Presidential aide.
General Clyde Armstrong – US military.
General Romanov – Russian military.
Mister Chung – National People’s Congress of China.
Carl Gambiadini – Head of NASA.
Slim McCoy – Seasoned astronaut.
Professor Bunion – Nutritional chemist.
Jonathan Hopkins – British Special Envoy.
Jacob Corby – President and CEO of Ford Motors.
Matt Montgomery – Chairman of Boeing Aircraft Company.
John Devine – US Government Appropriations Committee.
Maggie McCoy – Micro biologist.
Cassie & Danni – The McCoy’s twin daughters.
Sophia Wagner – Sociologist.
Al Brewster – SpaceCruiser Co.
Brian Hopkins – Astronaut.
Molinski – Astronaut.
Mack – FBI special agent.
Diego Alivar – Colombian drug lord.
General Flint – US military.
Conclusion
This tale is a work of fiction, but is it such a great leap of faith to suspend disbelief and accept that the events as related could…just could…happen.
Consider this. The Universe is 13½ billion years old. Earth is thought to be 4½ billion years old. Life in its crudest form has been on Earth for 3 billion years. Modern humans have been around for only 200,000 of those years.
In just the last 200 years science and technology have advanced exponentially. With the Earth thought to be only half way through its life cycle we have 4½ billion years to move them on beyond our wildest imagination.
Try to see in your mind's eye what advances might evolve in that time and what other civilisations might have already achieved in a universe this old and over 90 billion light years across.
If you thought this narrative was far fetched, do you really think the story is that improbable knowing what you know now?
Other Publications by This Author
AN IMPOSSIBLE LIAISON
If you are looking for sex, bad language, gory violence, zombies and earth invading aliens this story is not for you. If you want a gentle uplifting tale of human endeavour and relationships with a liberal sprinkling of historical and geographical facts plus a huge helping of the ‘feel good factor’ then read on.
Kate becomes the driving force behind architect James O’Hara’s efforts to build a unique National Theme Park. Its purpose is not like that of any other in the world. Finding financial backing for this altruistic project is virtually impossible. In their efforts to raise the necessary funds they are drawn ever closer together, with several other love interests developing amongst the team gathered around them in pursuit of their dream.
As the tale evolves so the pace quickens, with each chapter producing twists and sub plots. There are numerous surprises and seemingly unnatural coincidences emergent from the so called ‘Chaos Theory’ and the ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ phenomenon which add to the intrigue.
The author apologises for the tear jerking inclusion of one chapter in particular which cannot fail to moisten the eyes of those readers with a sensitive disposition. However, it was an essential element of the plot and it is hoped it will not spoil your enjoyment of the overall narrative.
Let your own imagination boldly run riot in pursuit of the ‘feel good factor’.
THE LYRICS OF LIFE
This is a book of 53 verses containing up to a dozen stanzas each. It reflects the author’s perception of life with all its idiosyncrasies. Some are humorous; others are of a more serious nature. All are well observed manifestations of life.
THE POETRY OF THE UNIVERSE
This book presents a unique and interesting introduction to the wonders of the known universe. It is written almost entirely in the form of verse and supported by colour images and notes for those who may wish to delve a little deeper. It is a reflection of nearly sixty years of observation by the author and his perception and interpretation of all things universally related.
SNAPSHOTS OF THE UNIVERSE
This is a very much extended and more detailed version of the above publication. The author is aware that having such a subject presented wholly in verse may not be to the liking or satisfy the more inquisitive budding astronomer, physicist or scientist. He realized before finishing the original presentation that a second book was needed to expand in more depth and detail into each poetic subject heading.
THE RHYTHM OF THE UNI-VERSE
This is an amalgam of the content in the Universe series. It includes verse, supporting text and almost one hundred related full colour illustrations. It presents a unique and interesting introduction to the wonders of the known universe for those who are just developing a burgeoning curiosity in such things.
Copyright © James Duggan – 1st November 2018
All rights reserved in accordance with the copyright, designs and patents act 1988