by TJ Viola
A great despair had settled over Ammag as time continued its march forward.
GRILLION
Muglar became obsessed with learning about thought-time travel. At first, he had found Zucan’s account of Zeiss’s mission quite unbelievable, but as he learned more about the Grillions’ telepathic capabilities and the technological breakthroughs made by Zeiss’s grandfather, he began to have hope. If he could undo the past, he would do so without hesitation. The ghosts of so many lost civilizations, in the name of saving his own, now seemed deplorable and constantly haunted his dreams.
Zucan and Muglar continued to monitor Doran’s progress, and, after a few years, they worked in partnership, trying to find the ultimate solution as Doran continued his journey searching for uranium. In spite of their combined efforts, they were unable to find an alternative source of energy that could be utilized by the Ammagan physiology.
All their efforts had been in vain and, more than ever, it appeared their only hope was dependent upon Zeiss and his valiant team to change the past.
Zucan’s frustration grew with each passing day, since there wasn’t any way for him to contact Zeiss. Once the Ammagans started to probe the surface for signs of a biosphere, it was apparent that Zeiss had halted all efforts to monitor events on the surface. Sending encrypted messages was useless, but Zucan continued to try. When they had agreed to total secrecy and isolation, it appeared to be a prudent strategy. There was no way to have foreseen the current turn of events. Who would have guessed that Muglar would become an ally? Zucan knew he needed to get Muglar and Zeiss together before 2060; it was likely their only hope for success.
There was only one way for this to happen. They had called it the back-door option, but ironically, it needed to be initiated by Zeiss, and under the current conditions, Zucan knew Zeiss would never take such a risk.
BIOSPHERE
The crew of the biosphere became reenergized once Zeiss decided they would take a more active role in helping Danny and Crystal. As the years passed the relationship between Zeiss and Titch became evident as their auras betrayed their attraction whenever they were in the same room. This caused Yolan to be withdrawn, focused only on communicating with Danny.
In spite of their new strategy, little progress had been made. All their efforts to invent the Gaser had failed, Earthlings were still set on their own mutual destruction, and how Muglar so successfully planned the invasion of Earth continued to be a mystery.
Titch was frustrated with the team’s lack of progress, but pleased that all indications implied the Ammagans had ceased their search. At times her curiosity about what was happening on the surface became unbearable, not only for her but also for the entire crew, since her fiery nature influenced others.
ROLO and BOUNCE
After Rolo and Bounce unleashed the electromagnetic pulse that disabled the neutron bomb detonator, they transformed into two small bear cubs and disappeared into the surrounding forest. Danny had realized an inquiry would follow the attack on his research facility and that it would be difficult to explain to anyone who knew his and Crystal’s family history the existence of identical twins. He telepathically instructed Rolo and Bounce to return to the Grillion base and eliminate any records of Danny and Crystal having twin siblings.
The two androids that returned to their home base were not the same ones that had left. The usual playfulness that had always been part of Rolo and Bounce’s dynamic programming was totally replaced with a new sense of urgency. During those few dangerous moments, just prior to merging together to produce the electromagnetic wave, they felt the fear that engulfed both Danny and Crystal. It wasn’t fear for their personal safety, but for the survival of Earth and Grillion. The depth of these feelings left such an impression on Rolo and Bounce that their programmed personalities were altered. They became more focused and now understood more clearly the ramifications if Danny and Crystal’s mission should fail.
Upon returning to the base, Rolo and Bounce became aware of Zeiss’s new approach and teamed up with scientists on Grillion to perform experiments aimed at developing a reflective material for the Gaser. Rolo and Bounce both realized their survival depended on Danny’s success, so they became increasingly involved with Zeiss and his team.
Soon after Danny and Crystal were relocated to a new research facility, they requested Rolo and Bounce rejoin them and continue their work on the Gaser. Once again, they created new identities, and Rolo became an expert in nuclear and quantum physics and Bounce was equally distinguished in the field of material science. Both their resumes were impressive, and they easily passed all the government background tests. In short order, Dr. Roland Van Hess and Dr. Janis Bound were hired to assist Danny and Crystal.
DANNY and CRYSTAL
After the United Nations’ attempt to disrupt their research, both Danny and Crystal continued to have serious doubts about Earth’s chances for survival. The years were passing at an alarming rate, and they both had already sacrificed their youth, their relationships with family and friends, and their own chance for personal happiness. Should they continue? What if they worked up to the very end only to face the horror of failure and certain death? Why not stop and enjoy the little time they had left together? These questions and doubts haunted them constantly, but when they discussed these and other equally difficult questions, they came to the same conclusion. What if? What if they were successful? So much was at stake, so many lives; they really had no other option. Their lives, their individual happiness were insignificant relative to their mission.
When in protective custody, awaiting the outcome of the government’s investigation, they continued their efforts. Unable to perform any physical experiments, they brainstormed, analyzed potential options for completing the Gaser, and reviewed the efforts of Rolo and Bounce, and the scientists on Grillion. Danny became extremely efficient at telepathic meetings and involved Crystal in such a way that she felt an integral part of the discussion, even though she couldn’t communicate telepathically. Unfortunately, when they finally entered their new facility, the same four questions they had been working on remained unanswered:
How could they get stimulated emissions of gamma rays?
How did Muglar gather his military intelligence?
How could they unite all nations of the world to work together against the Ammagans?
How could they defend against the Ammagans’ radiation rays?
A new decade, possibly the last, was about to begin. Frustration levels were running high and they were about to erupt.
Chapter 31
Danny Reveals the Future
T his time the government wasn’t taking any chances. The only way to attack Danny and Crystal would be to declare war on the United States of America. Their new home was an abandoned, strategic defense facility used in the 1960s to defend against possible nuclear attacks. The facility was buried deep underground into the side of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs. Once again, security personnel were assigned to protect Danny and his research team; however, they were also secretly assigned by Senator Cooper to monitor Danny’s progress and to routinely report their findings to his committee. The senator from Wyoming was rapidly gaining influence and was as determined as ever to discredit Danny.
On the surface, it appeared Danny and Crystal would make up for lost time; the research facility was first rate and their every request granted, Rolo and Bounce were once again accepted as legitimate members of his team, and Zeiss had ordered his people to become more involved. With each passing day, however, Danny was spiraling deeper into depression due to their continued lack of substantial progress. Yolan and Crystal tried to lift his spirits to no avail—the pressure imposed by the stark images he had viewed as a teenager were becoming unbearable, and there was little anyone could do to ease his self-doubts.
“Danny, it may appear that little progress has been made, but in reality, we’ve accomplished a great deal. In pure research, even negative results are viewed as progres
s. By eliminating several theories for creating simulated emissions of gamma rays, we are closer to discovering the Gaser,” Yolan encouraged.
“Under normal conditions I would agree, but nothing is normal anymore.”
During critical discussions, such as this one, Rolo and Bounce often took on the appearance of Zeiss and Yolan so Crystal could effectively participate.
“I agree with Yolan,” Crystal argued. “Rather than focusing on the negative, we should look at the positives. For example, after three years of effort, we now have the technology to easily create new metal alloys, which opens new avenues for experimentation. We should be celebrating, not wallowing in self-doubt and pity.”
“I agree with you both and I know being depressed will not advance our research, but sometimes logic isn’t enough,” Danny said as he walked out of the room.
Danny needed to get away, to be free again, to enjoy a simple walk in the woods, to breathe fresh air, to see his parents, and to sit with Crystal under his old oak tree. He made up his mind—no more research until he got some quality rest and relaxation. His next stop was the security center and he spoke to the ranking officer on duty.
“I have an urgent request. I must speak with National Security Advisor Bridge, without delay.”
“Commander O’Malley, it would be difficult to reach the advisor so late at night. Can I help?”
“No, I need to speak with him and only him. I need to do it now!”
It was highly unusual for Danny to be so demanding, so the officer reluctantly agreed to his request. “I’ll try to contact him and patch the call into your quarters. It might take a few hours.”
“Thank you, Major.”
Within a half hour, Danny was face-to-face with Bridge on his video phone.
“Ron, sorry to bother you at this time of night, but I have a request that couldn’t wait.”
“Your support teams have standing orders to provide you with everything you could require without questions asked.”
“What I need is to get away, go home, and see my parents—to clear my mind and think more clearly.”
“We can’t take the risk, Danny. There are forces at work that would stop at nothing to gain access to you and Crystal, and, if all else fails, I’m certain they have orders to assassinate you. There is no way I can approve such a trip.”
“I’m afraid you have no choice, Ron. I’m not continuing my research until you do. I know the risks and I’m willing to take them.”
“I’ll talk to the President, but I can’t promise anything. You would need a whole battalion to protect you.”
“No! We’re going alone, just Crystal and me. No escort, no show of force. I know there are secret ways out of this mountain. Just give us a car and we’ll be back in a week.”
“I think you’re nuts, but I’ll see what I can do.”
*****
The ride to Wyoming was uneventful and relaxing since the car was on autopilot and took them to the O’Malleys’ front door. He hadn’t seen his parents in over five years. The last he knew they were still living on a military base, so it was a pleasant surprise when he was informed they had moved back to his childhood home. Danny knew he needed time to clear his mind and relax if he was ever going to unravel the mystery of the Gaser, and what better place than where he had grown up.
Both his parents flew out the front door as the car drove over the rickety wooden bridge that crossed the stream in front of his old house. As the car rattled over the warped boards, Danny realized there was no going back, the days of his youth were permanently gone, and the only direction for Crystal and him was forward. But he was still hopeful he would find the peace and relaxation he needed.
“Danny, Crystal, I can’t believe it!” Althea said. “When we were informed you were coming home, I was ecstatic.”
“We didn’t believe they would ever let you two out again after your last research facility was attacked,” his father said. “Sometimes I wonder about our government. You make the greatest discovery of all time and they treat you like a common criminal, essentially putting you under house arrest.”
“Dad, it hasn’t been too bad. We get everything we need for our research and we have each other.”
“That may be true, but you don’t have a life, believe me, we know, because they did the same to us. We were under constant surveillance; only recently have they allowed us to lead a normal life again.”
“Sorry we brought you and Mom so much trouble. We didn’t know what would happen. We just knew we needed to invent cold fusion at any cost.”
His dad thought this was an odd comment but let it pass; he was so excited to see his son again.
“Phil, let the children get settled before you give them the third degree. They’ve had a long trip and I’m sure they want to relax before dinner.”
Althea took them both by the arms and led them into the house, leaving Philip standing alone on the front porch wondering how he ended up with the task of bringing in the luggage. It wasn’t until after dinner that he got a chance to be alone with his son, as Crystal and Althea left for an evening stroll to have a talk of their own, leaving the men to clean up.
After a few minutes of small talk, Danny drilled his dad about his work. “Tell me, Dad, how is your work progressing? I would expect by now you’re sending spacecrafts to other galaxies,” Danny joked.
“Nothing quite so adventurous, but we have several units in development that have that potential.”
“Dad, if you don’t mind, let me give you some input: focus your efforts, all your efforts, on tactical spacecrafts capable of dogfights in space.”
“Actually, we have two efforts running in parallel: short-term tactical defense and long-term exploration. Why are you asking me to focus on the tactical side?”
Danny realized he had made a serious mistake; he wasn’t ready to reveal the truth to his father. He needed to think about the implications; he wasn’t sure if he had any right to share such a burden with his father at his late stage in life.
“Dad, I came home specifically to answer that question, and to ask for your help, but right now I’m having second thoughts. I need to get some rest and think.”
“I’ll tell you what, let’s get up early tomorrow and hit the old fishing hole. I’ve seen that huge bass that evaded your line for so many years. I think he would enjoy tormenting you once again.”
“Sounds great, I’m looking forward to the challenge. It looks like it’s now our task to clean up the kitchen.”
Danny loaded a few dishes into what he thought was a dishwasher, but his dad stopped him.
“Danny, that's not a dishwasher but a new appliance that vaporizes food. I’ve never been able to figure how to use that contraption. Your mom loves it,” Phil said as he scrubbed a plate by hand.
Crystal wasn’t as lucky with Danny’s mom as Althea put her arm around Crystal’s shoulder and gently turned her around.
Standing there, so close, Crystal could see that Althea had aged gracefully over the years and that the sparkle, which so characterized her fiery personality, was still present in her eyes. At the same time, Crystal sensed she was holding back an overwhelming sadness locked away, deep inside.
Althea pulled Crystal closer, giving her a gentle hug, and when she let go, a tear rolled down her cheek. “Crystal, I need to know why our lives changed so suddenly. I lost my son, my home, my friends, and in some ways my husband—I need to know why, was it worth such a sacrifice? I think about it more than I should, reliving the past trying to understand what happened. What is happening?”
“Althea, I’m sure you realize I love your son deeply and he loves me. We yearn for a normal life, but it will never be possible. We both know that not only our lives have been impacted, but the lives of those we hold most dear. There are no words that can bring back the years, but you should know that if Danny and I had the power to change the past, to lead more normal lives and to alleviate your burdens and those of my parents, we wouldn’t
.”
“I don’t understand. You both have sacrificed everything. You live in isolation, people are trying to kill you, and your own government may be your worst enemy. Why wouldn’t you change all this if you could?”
It took Crystal a few moments to gather her thoughts; she struggled to find the words. “Danny has a destiny to fulfill, one that has already helped all of mankind. He isn’t finished; in fact, the future, everyone’s future, depends on him. We have the honor to support him and provide Danny with the strength he will need. He is carrying a yoke far greater than we can possibly imagine, and making him aware and feel guilty for our personal anguish will only increase his distress.”
“Crystal, I have to assume you’re not willing to share everything with me for my own good and that of Danny’s. So, I’ll drop the subject for now and focus on having a good time while we’re together.”
Crystal returned the hug and now they were both crying, one because she didn’t understand and one because she did.
The next morning, Danny rose early and ran out the back door, half expecting to see Bruno already running up the hill, but he was alone. Life, he thought, is forever changing, but as he looked around, many things were the same. The beauty of the valley, the sun’s bright rays illuminating the unending cloud formations with a spectrum of brilliant colors, and, of course, as he looked up the hill, the old oak tree welcomed him home. As Danny leaned against the tree and scanned the panoramic view of his childhood, the cloud of confusion and doubt that was plaguing him slowly lifted. He had decided to bring his father into his confidence, a decision that could potentially change the course of the Universe.
After breakfast, Danny and his dad went to their favorite fishing hole, one they hadn’t been to for many years. The fish were literally jumping out of the water in an apparent eating frenzy created by the emergence of a new insect hatch. In spite of this opportunity, both Danny and his dad had little luck, not even a nibble. Normally a successful fishing trip didn’t require the thrill of catching their limit of fish. Being together, enjoying the beauty of the Wyoming wilderness and the challenges of fly-fishing were sufficient to cement the bond between father and son. However, this day seemed to drag with little exchange of conversation, which was a concern to Philip. He instinctively knew his son was carrying a heavy weight and could only hope he would share his burden.
