Planet of Peace

by Jerry Belvo

  AYes, the man was wearing a gun holster which means he’s up to no good. They were there on official business not just mild curiosity.@

  Jeff said. ADid you notice the policeman sitting in the back row near the exit? I have seen him there the last few lectures. He reminds me of a fellow student from grade school, but I can’t remember his name. Maybe he’s university security.@ Just then the door bell rang and Jeff went to answer it.

  AHey, Bobby, come on in,@ he said as he opened the door. He and Bobby had grown up together, and were best friends.

  AHi, Mr. Martin,@ Bobby said entering the den. AI enjoyed your lecture today.@

  AThank you Bobby, have a seat. We were just discussing the couple who made a fuss afterwards.@

  AThey were certainly out of place,@ Bobby remarked.

  AThey wanted to know about star children,@ Jeff said.

  AYeah, I’m glad you didn’t tell them anything.@

  AI don’t have a very good feeling about them,@ Charles stated.

  Turning to Jeff, Bobby said. ADo you want to go out for a beer?@ He had sandy blond hair, was light complicated, medium height, and well proportioned as he had been working out to build his upper body. He didn’t believe in all that was being said about spirits, but he supported the endeavors of his best friend=s father. Besides he felt a part of the family, and wanted to give his moral support.

  ASure, I will get my leather jacket,@ Jeff said reaching in the hall closet for it. AI’ll not be out late Dad. Tell Mom I’m going out.@

  ASure, have a good time. See you later.@

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  *

  At the bar, Bobby ordered a beer and Jeff his usual soft drink. After they were settled at a table he leaned over to Jeff and remarked. AI don=t know what those two were up to, but I didn’t like the way they talked to your dad. I think it=s probably best not to discuss anything about star children in public.@

  ADid you see the policeman sitting in the back of the auditorium, Bobby?@

  AYes, that’s Don Dukes. I remember him from grade school. He used to pick on me all the time. After you stood up for me he stopped. It made him mad and I doubt if he ever got over it. I think he’s a nut case. After his family moved away I lost tract of him; heard he got caught shoplifting.”

  AHow did he manage to become a policeman,@ Jeff asked?

  AHis dad was one. He was killed while on duty in a shootout a couple years ago. That was when they moved away,” Bobby replied.

  They finished their drinks and ordered another. Jeff had something else on his mind about his friend and didn’t know quite how to approach him, but he had intuited something that concerned him. ABobby, I don’t want to pry, but I have a feeling you are smoking weed.@

  Bobby’s eyes lit up. ANo, I never touched the stuff.@ But, Jeff looked serious and he realized he couldn’t keep a secret from him. AWell, maybe one, but that was some time ago.@

  ANo, I mean now,@ Jeff replied. AMy senses tell me you are smoking regularly, maybe even using speed?@

  He was caught with no way but to confess. AOkay, I’ve been smoking, but not a lot. Really, it’s not so bad. You should try it sometime. You=d enjoy it. It makes you feel laid back and mellow.@

  ABobby, you are my best friend, and if anything happens to you it would hurt a lot. Once you become used to smoking weed you may want something a little stronger, and before you know it you are into the hard stuff.@

  AThat would never happen to me.@ Bobby dismissed it as impossible, realizing he had gone further down the path then he let on.

  Changing the subject Jeff said. AI’m giving the opening address at the Homeless Rally tomorrow on the Court House steps. Do you want to come?@

  ANo,@ said Bobby. AI have other plans.@

  AOh, is it anyone I know?@ Jeff inquired smiling.

  Bobby smiled and Jeff let the subject drop.

  *

  The next day Jeff met Sarina after class. She was the daughter of Eric and Marilyn Roberts, lifelong friends of the Martins. She was tall, bright, with curly-red hair, beautiful lucid eyes that could melt iron, and the heart of any man who looked her way. Aware of her influence on men, but not ready to settle down, she discourages their advances. She is positive and self assured, and feels she is in total control.

  Her father taught Astronomy at the University for over twenty years. He introduced her to the universe and she learned quickly. She could work the computers at the observatory as well as any professional. Her mother was an avid journalist and had written several books.

  They were sitting at a table in the coffee shop just off campus when Bobby joined them. He went to the counter and ordered a coffee with a shot of cappuccino in it. Jeff said to him, AI was telling Sarina about the odd couple at the lecture yesterday and how they were inquiring about star children.@

  AWhy would they be eying your Dad? He’s no star child,@ Bobby remarked.

  AMaybe they think Dad can lead them to the star children.@

  AYou don’t think your Dad would tell them, do you,@ Bobby asked?

  ANo, he would protect that secret with his life.@

  AThat’s a relief.@

  ABut he’s afraid someone else will tell,@ Jeff said looking directly at Bobby.

  AMy lips are sealed. Do you think I would squeal?@

  ANo, I trust you. Just don’t get in trouble.@

  AThanks,@ Bobby said. AI won’t.@

  AMuch is known, but nothing has really been published on star children. There are those who have a keen interest in their abilities and what they can do. As more people hear about them interest will pick up. Some may even think star children are going to destroy their way of life.@

  Sarina spoke up. APeople fear the unknown you know.@ Jeff nodded in agreement.

  ADo you think they found out anything,@ Bobby asked?

  AI don’t know but it’s probably not a good idea to be outspoken right now. Say nothing if you get approached,@ Jeff inserted again.

  This conversation was of concern to Sarina as she was afraid something terrible could and would happen. She knew all about star children, but kept the topic to herself. At least it was never discussed in public. AI’m going to have to start going to those lectures. I feel like I’m out of the loop,@ she responded.

  AYou should go. Dad=s lectures are very enlightening. I’ll let you know when he gives the next one.@ Jeff looked at his watch, AWell, I have to be going now. The rally is at three this afternoon and I have to prepare for it. I’ll see you two later.@

  *

  There were quite a few people on the court house steps when he arrived. The Coalition for the Homeless was sponsoring the rally to create public awareness. In the last few years the number of homeless had doubled to nearly 20,000 people, many of them children. Their cardboard signs asking for help were appearing in the suburbs where he lived. Something had to be done. The thought of homeless, starving people in Denver unnerved Jeff.

  When he approached the podium to give his introduction he surveyed the crowd. There were many homeless people among the coalition group, all waving signs trying to attract the attention of motorists driving by. Television cameras were focused on the platform as he ascended. While standing there waiting for the cue to speak he saw them off to the side, the odd couple dressed as they were yesterday. He couldn’t think about them now, he had a job to do. Focusing on his introduction he began.

  AFriends, thank you all for coming today. As you know the number of homeless is steadily growing, and something has to be done to solve the problems we are facing. The government keeps cutting their budget year after year, and services are becoming scarce. The person I would like to introduce to you has devoted her time and energy to helping these people. A state senator for six years and a mother of four children she has been working with the homeless most of her
life. She has sponsored food and clothing drives, and worked with inner city churches to create public awareness to the plight of the poor. She has served on committees to fund shelters, create educational programs, and increase the medical services for those seeking assistance. Now she has introduced a bill that will guarantee medical services for all people in the state, and would require all hospitals to devote a minimum amount of their time and money to serving the poor. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Leslie Storm.@

  As the audience applauded the speaker, Jeff shook her hand and left the podium. They focused their attention on her, giving him a chance to make himself scarce. He was all for helping the homeless, but right now he had more important needs to attend to. Two sets of eyes followed him as he left the podium.

  He slowly walked into the court house by the side door trying not to attract attention and casually went down the steps to the lower level thinking he would leave by a rear door. He heard footsteps on the stairs behind him as he hurried down the hall. He tried a few locked doors along the way. The building had already closed for the day. When he got to the end he thought an exit would be near, but there was none. The echo of footsteps pounding the cement corridor grew louder. He needed to make an escape. He promised his parents he would never use his power when anyone was present but he began to panic. He thought. ‘If ever I need it, now is a good time.’ Backing against the locked exit door he became totally silent, not daring to breathe. Just then the door seemed to give way and he was on the outside. He quickly walked down the alley to his car.

  *

  Jones said to Cleaver, AI know he went this way. We will catch up with him. These doors are all locked. He couldn’t have gone far.@ They reached the end of the corridor and tried the locked exit door.

  AGuess you were wrong Jones,@ she remarked making him cringe. They didn’t seem to be getting anywhere with their assignment. Maybe next time they would have more luck. Tracking down star children wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be.

  AMaybe we made a wrong turn?@ He remarked. They retraced their footsteps checking a few more locked doors.

  *

  His heart pounding Jeff took out his keys and opened the car door. He sat there breathing deeply for a moment before starting the motor, pulling out of the lot and heading for home. Would they follow him? He hoped not. If they were carrying a gun he wanted nothing to do with them. The time would come when he would have to divulge what he knew, but it wasn’t going to be today. He just needed more time.

  Chapter 2

  On his way home from the rally Jeff centered his energy in an attempt to forget what had just happened. He lowered the car window inhaling the fresh spring air. Even though traffic was heavy he was relaxed when he got home. Dad was in the kitchen helping his Mom prepare dinner as he entered the back door.

  ASorry I=m late,@ he announced, screen door slamming behind him.

  AOh, that’s alright, dinner won’t be ready for a while,@ his Mom replied. AGo wash up and relax a bit.@

  AHow was your day, Dad?@ Jeff ventured.

  AThere wasn’t much to do, so I took it off. Business is slow, but we are getting a new contract Monday. Maybe it will keep us busy for a few months. How did your opening introduction go for the coalition today?@

  AI thought it went well, but I didn’t wait around for the whole affair. The couple I saw at your lecture was in the audience and I thought it best to make myself scarce.@

  AGood idea,” he countered.

  Jeff didn’t want to tell them he had done his disappearing act knowing how they felt about it. He went to the bathroom to wash up and change clothes while pondering the incident. He thought about what he had told his Mom when he was little. AI don’t feel right here. I keep getting these feelings I want to go home, but I don=t know where home is.@

  He could mentally draw things to himself; think and they would appear, but his parents forbade him to do that. He had to learn to pick them up with his hands. He spent nights crying because he was confused, and wanted to go home. Many times voices kept him awake, and his Mom would sing him back to sleep. It was a difficult time when he was young.

  A psychic friend of his Dad=s had told them he was different, a star child who displayed special talents. The psychic said. AA star child on a new planet has to learn survival skills. They have a different set of problems and rules to grow up by, and are physically awkward in human bodies.@ When she had told the Martins what to expect they weren’t prepared to learn a new way of bringing up children. Their first two children were easy to train, but Jeff was different. His instincts were relegated to what was needed to grow up on another planet with entirely different conditions.

  ADinner’s ready,@ his Mom hollered bringing him out of his revere.

  After dinner he excused himself and went to his room to study. He had assignments in his humanities and mythology classes. Both text books were large and he spent a lot of time reading the material. He occasionally studied with a friend in his mythology class, and it helped having someone with whom to discuss the concepts of God found in the Sumerian writings. It was midnight when he finally finished his assignments.

  *

  The next week went quickly and Friday night Jeff had a date with Sarina. They dined on vegetarian pizza, and ended up at a downtown bar with soft music in the background. They had known each other since they were young, and as they got older he became attracted to her. She was three years behind him in school and he would be graduating in a few months.

  Sarina broke the ice, AWhen did you find out you were different?@

  AI felt different very early. Awkward, I couldn’t understand why I had to use my arms and legs to do things. I’m glad now that my parents insisted I learn to use my muscles. One day I materialized in front of Mom, and didn’t realize I had done so. I thought I had walked into the room, but I couldn’t remember getting out of bed. I had learned to visualize a different location and materialize in that spot, but I couldn’t do it if I got scared. At first they thought it cute, but as I got older Dad put a stop to it, afraid it wouldn’t go over well in public. He then forbade it in the house.@ Sarina seemed to be deep in thought about what he had told her about his upbringing, maybe remembering some of her own, but she made no comment so Jeff continued. Raising his voice to catch her attention he said, AI can’t read people=s minds, unless it’s directed at me. If I knew another star child we could communicate telepathically or if you had that ability I could do it with you. In other words thoughts that are stored in the mind I don’t have access to, but those that are active I can interpret. When I play basketball I aim, focus my intent, and maneuver the ball into the basket. As long as I stay focused I do very well. My mind seems to process at a faster pace than others, and I need a lot of stimulus or I get bored. That’s when I want to do my tricks.@

  AI know what you mean. I get bored easily too,@ she volunteered. AWhen did you start wearing sunglasses?@

  AIn high school, I did it to be cool. When Dad thought it was a good idea I continued to wear them.@

  AYour eyes are translucent, hypnotic, and draw people to you. They remind me of the peephole in a door. Through them you can see everything, but no one can see you. In your eyes I can see the universe,@ she said.

  AWhen I was young, Dr. Fielding said my eyes were the opening to my soul, and that I was a gifted person.@

  AWho is Dr. Fielding,@ Sarina inquired?

  AMom and Dad took me to see him when I was in the first grade. Doctor Joseph Fielding was a psychiatrist who specialized in gifted children, and they were afraid I wouldn’t be able to adapt to school. After several sessions he determined I should have no problem. He called them later for permission to have me participate in a research project to find out why some children were more gifted than others. My parents agreed to let me participate as long as he didn’t publish my name in his findings, so he gave us all num
bers.

  After I got older my parents told me Dr. Fielding found new genes in certain gifted children, and when they tested me I had them. He said that as many as a thousand children could have these genes, and there may be adults with them as well. Those who had these genes were a more peaceful group, intelligent, and less inclined to get into trouble. The genes seemed to give them a depth of understanding that surpassed most adults. Dad claimed the only physical way of identifying them was in their eyes, and that’s why he liked the idea of my wearing sunglasses. Everyone in the research group was given numbers to hide their identities. When the Doctor went public with his findings even the numbers were supposedly deleted, at least we hoped they were.@

  AI hope so too,@ she ventured, Abut I’m still glad you are wearing the glasses, and maybe I’ll get a pair.@

  AYeah, girls like me in glasses. They think it’s cool.@ He paused a moment. ADo you think the government has received any names from Dr Fielding?@

  AI hope not, but it could explain why they are interested in you.@

  AWell, I can always disappear on them if the going gets tough.

  AI know whatever happens you can handle it,@ she replied.

  AThanks for your confidence. What about you, Sarina? When did you know you were different?@

  AI didn’t really know until I went to school. Mom and Dad told me I was special, but then they weren’t around that much. My Nanny took care of me, and often read to me. When she took her nap in the afternoon I would play with my imaginary friend.@

  AWhat did she look like?@

  AShe was barefoot, had curly-blond hair and wore a frilly white dress. On occasions other spirits played with us just like in real life, and they were always my age. As I got older so did they. One day my Nanny took me to the park and there were lots of birds. I mentally called to them and shortly they were flying all around us. After that, when we went to the park we would take bird seed to feed them. We would draw a crowd, and no matter where we sat they would come to us. I have a pair of love birds in my bedroom, and we have a parakeet on the porch. You’ve seen them in my house.@