by Jacky Qian
Star of Fantasy
Jacky Qian
My biggest dream is to travel around the world
and share my adventures with you.
Copyright © 2018 Jacky Qian
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1720657552
ISBN-10: 1720657556
Preface
My son, Jacky (Chinese name: Longjie Qian), was born in Beijing, China in October 2004. Now he lives and studies in the United States. He developed a strong interest in natural science and literature early in his life, so he read many books by Chinese and foreign writers. We had a big book cabinet that covered an entire wall, and he put all his favorite books there. He was drawn to science fiction in literature and in film, with movies like Transformers, Pacific Rim and Independence Day being regular favorites.
As a fourth-grader in elementary school, Jacky earned an award for the improvement of his compositional skills, and that affirmation gave rise to his dream of becoming a writer. So, he began to write his own novella and soon completed his first adventure story, called The Wing in the Sky. It makes him happy to put pen to paper and tell an original story. So, over the next four years he wrote several more stories. In the process, his fluency increased to a remarkable degree. At age thirteen, he completed his first English novel, Star of Fantasy, which is ten times the length of his initial effort.
It's my hope that Jacky will grow up in happiness and health, lead his own life and make a difference in the community. Like most mothers, I refrain from unrealistic expectations. Jacky’s dream, of course, is to become a writer, and he says writing has become a part of his soul. He hopes that one day he'll be a great writer like Fujiko F. Fujio, Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, Lu Xun, Li Bai and Gosho Aoyama. As his mother, I support him in the pursuit of his dream.
As an adventure story, Star of Fantasy, in my view, is the first relatively mature work of my son. I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Sunny Song
Jacky’s Mother
Prologue
The spectacular Milky Way glittered across the night sky, opposite the moon with its sharply outlined impact craters. It was the essence of perfection and calm until, suddenly, that stark-white surface was transformed into a cloud of dust amid an impact wave, and a bolt of jade green flashed across the craters. It was an energy wave amid the twinkling of that astronomical pool, like ripples left by an eagle as its wings beat close to the water. What was it? From a distance there appeared a planet, blue as the sky. It was so beautiful that even the other celestial bodies would respectfully maintain their paths through space. It was exactly at this moment that the source of that green energy wave – a jade-green meteorite – rushed toward her.
It was at the same moment that, on the earth's surface, a blue energy wave blew away dark clouds, tornadoes quickly dissipated, and tranquility returned to the sea. The jungle too grew quiet, as if it was commanded by a haze of unknown origin at its center. Then, however, the sky became enveloped in green light and there followed a violent explosion when the impact wave uprooted trees and flooded the land, like ten thousand nuclear bombs detonating, turning the edge of the continent into a foaming green fringe, with billions of tons of rock instantly turning to gravel. Fortunately, the catastrophe didn't last very long. The boulders fell to ground, and everything was again still. During the following tens of thousands of years, volcanic activity took place around the world, the parent continental mass began to break up and divide, letting in the seawater to fill its gaps. As the biggest of them grew larger and larger, the Atlantic came into being, and dinosaurs took up their rule over the earth. For the following tens of millions of years, an ice age cloaked the planet in ice, which would prevail for forty thousand years. The present wouldn't arrive for another seven thousand years after the ice receded.
2122, Tokyo Japan
"Long before human beings came into existence, the earth had been dominated by dinosaurs with gigantic bodies and strong constitutions."
"But how much do you know about the remotest antiquity, when there were even no dinosaurs?"
"During the Carboniferous, approximately 300 million years ago, the earth was dominated by insects, which, as they evolved, were the first to learn to propel themselves through the water."
"In our present world, we have resolved many of the problems that had plagued humankind for hundreds and even thousands of years. The polar icecaps are stable, and the sea level is normal again. The Sahara is shrinking, and wars are less frequent. The large population is no longer a problem, owing to the successful diplomatic activities with the Martians, who embrace human immigration. Besides, oceans are no longer and never untouchable, as we have developed relationships with the Lemurian civilization and allowed people underground to establish their own terrestrial cities in North America. Of course, we also have new time machines, thanks to preeminent astrophysicists who have worked tirelessly to invent them. Moreover, hyperspace is identified as the greatest discovery of the century. To me, however, these are actually not good omens. With increasing dependence on technology, we simply bring about the evolution of civilization. Consider the insects: They dominated the earth for a much longer period than humans have. As far back as 400 million years ago, they occupied every part of the globe while constantly adapting to the environment and developing strong survival skills. As a result, despite their relatively tiny bodies they rank as the second-largest class of organisms in quantity after bacteria. Humans, regardless of their civilizations and technological developments, lack
the necessary strengths of constitution and capability in biological terms. Therefore, I am plotting a great cleanup. Unlike those idiots in the past, I, Albert Sean Ossien, a Ph.D. in biology, am going to accomplish a perfect scheme on the evolutionary stage by taking advantage of insects!"
"My Lord!" said Rkzai Gioni with a gasp of amazement. "That was such an absolutely perfect speech!"
"Come on, let's all get to work! Let's find the very best place to build our base! We're travelling back to the Carboniferous 300 million years ago!"
Then they jumped into a table one after another – the entrance of time machine.
Beginning tomorrow, Ossien thought, I'll create a new chapter in the book of human history!
Phase I: Titanic II
2026, New York
The Atlantic was warmed by the morning sun, sparkling like a sea of diamonds. Miss Liberty, which appeared eternally young, looked towards a gigantic shadow on the distant pier. The shadow was that of a giant ship, whose windows reflect the glittering waves. The Stars and Stripes fluttered in the breeze above the mast of the huge liner, Titanic II.
Silverstar Q smiled as he watched the second generation of the "Unsinkable," his dark hair reflecting the sunlight and his eyes revealing a spirit of adventure.
He remembered: It was the same morning sun in San Francisco that day. Officials from City Hall hugged and congratulated him as he stood on the smoldering Golden Gate, for he had risked his life to protect the entire city from the "Monster of San Francisco" in April 2026. Considering the coming summer holiday, the president specially sent him a cruise ticket from Washington D.C. to express his gratitude.
A quick, insistent tap on Silverstar's shoulder dragged him out of his euphoria about the ship and the trip. He turned, not expecting to see the gentlemen. "Hey! It's you, Dr. Runt! It's been a long time! You're on the same ship?"
"Yeah, I'm invited," Runt said, grinning at Silverstar. "Guess I really need a break from those research papers. Man, they're killing me."
"I heard you've made a name for yourself in biological science!"
"Well, it's just a few books on the origins of life, DNA, biomass and stuff like that. But, you know…"
He continued to eluci
date his theories of the biological realm and the various research projects at hand, whereupon an announcement came forth on the radio: "The ship is departing in thirty minutes. Please get on board immediately."
Each of seven boarding gates had its own escalator. This particular feature was remarkable in the eyes of Silverstar, who had never before experienced such a luxurious means of travel.
The interior of the ship was nothing less than palatial. The walls were festooned with myriad rhinestones and other synthetic jewels, the floor was lain with the softest Persian carpets, the counters were plated in gold and silver, and above the grand staircase there was a domed glass ceiling exactly like the one depicted in the movie Titanic. It was only right, as this was a duplicate of the original ship, which had long ago taken more than fifteen hundred souls with it to the bottom of the North Atlantic.
"Hello," Runt said as he approached the receptionist. "Would you please give me and the little boy a key?"
"Come on," Silverstar said in a half-whisper, giving him a nudge. "Man, I'm already in the seventh grade!"
Outside, a middle-aged man studied the gigantic vessel and the compact device in his hand, which seemed to be a sort of alarm clock with a pointer that gently rose and fell. He smiled as the space-time pulse reached 3.06, a figure very close to the origin.
He prepared to board and, followed by two young people, presented his ticket, ready to test destiny on this reincarnation of the "Unsinkable."
The public-address system boomed. "Good morning! I'm Captain Simons, Titanic II is setting sail!" Cheering erupted from the crowd below at the dockside, and people on the top deck waved their hands. Captain Simons took another telephone and initiated a video call, while a holographic image appeared. In the image there was a crew member from the engine room, who joked with his colleagues. Realizing that the captain was watching him, he immediately tossed aside the game console and snacks, stood at attention and asked, "Uh… What's wrong, Captain?"
"Darren! Start the nuclear engine. We're setting forth. Oh, and don't play games during work hours!"
"Uh… yeah. Yes, Captain!"
Captain Simons glanced speechlessly and hung up the phone, waiting for the fusion engine to signal its actuation.
Silverstar, carrying a backpack, walked along the luxurious corridor, feeling as if he were part of a distant past. The gleaming wood floor creaked happily as he went, and along the walls there were bouquets of artificial flowers. Some were particularly colorful, as they consisted of genetically modified plants. Silverstar walked to the front of Room 304, as the light on the door suddenly came up, projecting soft, blue holographic images. He scanned the room card, and the door opened automatically. He entered and found a soft, inviting bed. The media system atop the two bedside tables played a video about the Titanic II and a holographic live broadcast of the top deck. (All kinds of movies were available, too.) The room was well lit, and there was a large bullet-proof window, on which movies could be projected. As for the bathroom, it was virtually a small swimming pool with a "fountain" in the middle, spraying and forming colorful holographic images. In all, it was very close to ideal.
Silverstar lay on his back, humming lazily as he watched the homographic movie shown in the front. Then someone knocked at the door.
It was Dr. Runt.
He smiled and asked, "Hey, buddy. How about the trip? Fantastic, right?"
"Of course!" Silverstar replied, "Anyway…" He fell silent momentarily and suddenly said, "Oh! One of my classmates was aboard the ship, too!"
Dr. Runt, now somewhat surprised, asked, "A classmate!? Who!? How'd he get on board?"
"No! Not 'he', but 'she'! We both live in Hillsborough from the same school, and…" Suddenly, Silverstar lowered his voice, his light-blue eyes tracing the movements of his delicate hands, and said, "Catherine Hills."
"Uh huh!" Runt scratched his head calmly, "It seems that you're falling love with her?"
"What the hell!" He blushed, "That's too exaggerated!"
"Aha!" Runt laughed, "When I was your age, I liked a whole bunch of girls! Come on, let's go find her!"
"Good idea! You know, she is so pretty…!"
They passed a room in which they could see a series of old images displayed on the screen. Somewhat absent-mindedly they slowed down to stare at the image. The man in the room was hurriedly tapping out a phone number. The call went through just as quickly. The man put the phone to his ear. "Hello. Yes. I'm on the ship. Yeah. We've just left U.S. waters. The cargo is in the cabin. See you at midnight tomorrow, as planned. No problem. No, no, the cruisers won't find us. Exactly… in the central North Atlantic. Okay, then. Bye."
Silverstar walked along the bustling deck, murmuring, "She said she'd come, but she didn't say exactly where she would be. It's Christmas vacation. Who are these people? Everyone is rich! But it's so weird that people like Bill Gates aren't coming." As he pondered the question, a blonde-haired girl rushed toward him and grabbed him. "Hey, Silverstar! You're here, too!"
"Wow! Catherine! Wow! Ah… Hi!"
"It's really a big surprise!" She said excitedly, "Are you coming to visit here with me? "
"Well… Of course!" Silverstar answered.
"Good boy. You're quite welcome. In fact, you're much like I was back then! Aha!" Runt sat in a nearby pub, "Ah! Rum tastes so good!"
"Hey!" At the moment, a grim-looking man in a suit said, "Could you step aside?"
"Oh, o…okay," said Runt, scrutinizing him keenly. Ah! Yes! He remembered: Sellars Nien, a notorious millionaire! It was said that he was an opium smuggler, gunrunner and even a slave trader. "Hum," Runt took a sip of rum, thinking, "I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was hiding something!"
Catherine and Silverstar strolled through the cafeteria hand in hand as waiters darted here and there. "You know?" she said, "Titanic II is basically the same as the last one in terms of its tonnage, draft and internal structure. The only difference is the nuclear engine…"
"Hey," Catherine suddenly asked, "Are you okay? Your face is blushing terribly!"
"Ah! Nothing, I'm fine!" Silverstar giggled. Catherine was so beautiful, with a warm touch and tender skin…
"Come on!" She took a small piece of cake from the buffet table, "Try it! This is the best cappuccino cake there is, and it's my favorite!"
"Wow!" Silverstar instinctively exclaimed over the glittering cake, and then said shyly, "Oh! Um, thank you!" He cut the cake with a spoon and tasted a bite. It was luscious.
Nicholas Veitch
Runt casually sipped his smoothie, humming as he walked along the shining deck, where everyone was famous and well-dressed. A middle-aged man in a suit approached him, "Excuse me, sir. Have you seen a boy about 12 years old named Nicholas Veitch?"
"Nicholas Veitch?" said Runt, probing his mind for the pertinent information. "Is that the son of the sixth-richest man on the 2025 Forbes list?"
"Yes, but meanwhile my company is going bankrupt." The man in the suit paused for a second and then said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Markusen Klin, an oil tycoon from Texas. You know, the price of oil is dropping, so I need to borrow some money from his father. Do you know where he is?"
Run frowned slightly and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm just a biologist. Why would you ask me such a question? Besides, I haven't seen the boy."
"All right. Well, I'm sorry to bother you." Markusen nodded and turned to check with others.
Runt watched the man as he proceeded along the deck. He thought Mr. Markusen was a bit odd, but strangely he also felt sympathetic toward him.
"It's like a fairyland!" Silverstar said excitedly. The surrounding walls were made of thick, bullet-proof glass, and behind him was a beautiful sea glittering in the sunlight as if from a dream.
Clearly the place was a viewing room, but it was empty… or so they thought. Suddenly there came a loud voice, and Catherine spun round. "Hey! What are you doing!?"
A tall, stone-faced bodyguard, obviously armed, towered over t
he children: "What are you two kids doing!? You're not allowed in here!"
Silverstar, in his embarrassment, said, "We didn't know it."
"Victor, it's okay. Let them in," said a boy clad in light summer clothing. His hair was gloss black, and his skin was white like porcelain. "It doesn't matter. Let them in."
"Yes, Monsieur." The bodyguard bowed politely to the boy and then withdrew slightly.
The boy gave a cheerful greeting. "Hi! I'm Nicholas Veitch, and you are…?"
"Um, I'm Silverstar." He was immediately joined by his friend, who said, "Oh, and I'm Catherine Hills."
Nicholas shook her hand and said, "It's nice to meet you! Such a beautiful name, too." He then turned to Silverstar, "I like your name, too! Do you want to stay and visit here? It looks like a fairyland!"
"Wow!" Catherine gasped as she looked out at the ocean. The warm sunshine poured onto the water, and colorful fished could be seen darting through the water. A light-blue area of the sea in the distance waited to be discovered, harboring coral reefs with their attendant clownfish. The march of the great ship pushed up a wave at its bow, leaving the surface to churn in its wake.
Catherine gazed at the scenery, spellbound, and her blonde hair reflected the sun like a mirror. "Oh," said Silverstar. "This trip is just too fantastic!"
A crisp announcement came over the speakers nearby: "Dear passengers, the luxury car showroom will open soon! It's our great honor to introduce some of the world's finest motorcars for all who are interested."
"Sounds great!" Silverstar turned to Catherine and asked, "Would you like to have a look?"
"Of course! Let's go!"
"It's on the third floor," Nicholas said, reminded them.
"Thanks!" Silverstar replied. The elevator door closed behind him and Catherine.
"Ding!" went the elevator car, and they arrived at the bottom level. This was the luxury car exhibition with the world's most sophisticated sports cars! Catherine began to introduce, "Wow! It's a fresh new model! This Silver Angel can go 480 miles per hour! It has three lightning engines, which spurt blue fire when it hits top speed. And there's…"
