Planet of Peace

by Jerry Belvo

  AWhat do you mean?@

  ABobby is alright, but he had a close call last night.@

  AWas it drugs?@ She looked him suspiciously.

  ANo, it was worse than drugs. Someone tried to kill him.@ The color drained from her face and Jeff thought she would faint. He took her arm and helped her to the sofa. AI took him to the mountains where he is safe for now. He told me the two of you had a date tonight, and he was afraid if he didn’t show, you would dump him forever.@

  AIt would have crossed my mind. I don’t like feeling rejected,” she replied. Can I see him?” Could you take me to him?

  Jeff thought for a moment, ASure, I could do that.@

  AIt will just be a second,@ she replied. AThe mountain air is cold at night, I will put something on.@ She changed clothes, grabbed a jacket and was ready to go.

  AOkay,@ Jeff said as he stepped towards her. He reached out to put his arms around her waist. It startled her, causing her to step back, and slap him across the cheek. AOuch, what was that for?@ He exclaimed, applying his hand to his reddening face.

  AThis is no time to get fresh with me.@ She looked sternly at him. AYou should be ashamed of yourself, Jeff. I thought Bobby was your best friend.@ She said.

  ANo,@ Jeff said shaking his head. AYou don’t understand, we aren’t taking a car, and I’m not making a pass at you. Whoever tried to kill Bobby might follow us to him. Besides I have a faster way to travel. I know how to teleport myself from one place to another. I have that ability.@

  AWhat?@ She looked at him suspiciously.

  He quickly told tell her about his past and about being a star child. After giving her a quick explanation, he said. AYou have to trust me.@

  Heidi had never known a star child before, only recently heard the word at Jeff=s dad lecture. AOkay,@ she reluctantly submitted to his request closing her eyes tightly. He gently put his arms back around her again, trying not to upset her. Against her better judgment, she held on lightly as if touching something fragile. Their figures faded from the room and materialized in the cabin. When Heidi heard Bobby=s voice she opened her eyes astonished by her surroundings and rushed to him. Jeff left the cabin so they could have a little privacy and sat on a log out front. At least they have a beautiful mountain setting and a wonderful view. In the clearing a young fawn was nibbling grass. Its mother must have been nearby. In a few minutes the couple came out and sat next to him.

  Jeff told Bobby about his parents concerns and said he would keep them informed. Then he told him about picking up his CD’s and thumb drives so they would be safe. After a pause in the conversation he looked at Bobby and said. AShe slapped me!@

  Heidi=s face turned red. AWell, you had it coming. You grabbed me. I didn’t know what you were doing,@ she said trying to defend her actions. AI thought you were making a pass at me.@ They all laughed, and the humor did them good. It had been too serious lately.

  ADo you want me to leave you here tonight, Heidi?@ Jeff suggested. AI can take you back tomorrow. Bobby has food and water. What do you say?@

  AThat would be fine with me,@ her sparkling brown eyes looking up at Bobby. She welcomed spending a whole day away from the city especially with him.

  AThen it’s settled. I’ll be back tomorrow.@ Jeff wanted to get home, shower and put on some fresh clothes for the evening. He and Sarina were going out. He would teleport home, clean up, and be at her place by six.

  *

  When he arrived at Sarina=s home, she was with her mother on their back porch. She saw him out of the corner of her eye and gave a warm welcome. He didn’t want to spoil her happy mood, but he wanted to tell her about the happenings of last night and today.

  AAre you ready to go,@ he inquired?

  Picking up her hand bag she turned to her Mom and kissed her on the cheek. ADon’t wait up for me.@ She said as she left the house. After closing the car door and buckling up she looked at Jeff, AWhy the serious look? Has something happened?@ She intuitively reacted as he backed out of the drive.

  He could never keep a secret from her as she could read it in his face. He said. ASomeone tried to kill Bobby last night.@

  AOh, my God,” she sighed. “See, I knew he was in danger. How did it happen?@

  Jeff told her the story and how he transported Bobby to the cabin. AHeidi is with him, keeping him company. I need to know if he’s out of danger now.@

  Sarina thought for a moment, picturing Bobby at the cabin with Heidi. AI see no danger at this moment, and am sensing that he is calm. But, that doesn’t mean tomorrow things won’t change again.@ Jeff had faith that her predictions were accurate. AWhat are you going to do,@ she asked?

  ANothing,” he replied. “That is Bobby=s decision. I’ll help him do what he decides to do. Maybe he can stay at Heidi=s for a few days until he straightens things out. There are a lot of things for them to consider. I don’t even know if Heidi still wants to stay with him,@ Jeff turned his head towards her expecting an answer.

  Sarina verbalized slowly, ABobby and Heidi have no siblings. They are born of professional parents. Where Bobby is hyper-active and into everything at once, Heidi is quiet, subdued, and a loner.@ She put her hand on her forehead.

  Jeff remarked. AI don’t see either having to want for anything. Heidi has a lot to give, but isn’t outgoing even though she did work with me at the Soup Kitchen.@

  There was a pause then she shook her head and spoke. AThey are like two children who haven’t grown up. Neither seems too anxious to go to work.@

  AYou are right Sarina,@ he said. AWhen I met Heidi at the Soup Kitchen my first thought was of Bobby. She seemed so much like him in that way and in their personalities. They fit together like gloves. Bobby experimented with everything: cigarettes, coffee, coke, medications, and marijuana. She asked him to quit only once. When he saw how serious she was he stopped cold turkey afraid she would leave him.@

  AI feel good inside when two people find each other. I think that they will be together for a long time.@ Sarina sighed, and gazed up at Jeff with an inviting smile. AI just hope Heidi can keep him out of the problems he gets himself into,@ he ventured, pulling into the lot of their favorite restaurant. As he parked he could feel the beat from the music inside.

  The hostess showed them to a booth in the corner of the dining room away from the dance floor, and once they had ordered their meal she proceeded to ask. AHave you contacted the Foundation for an interview?@

  AYes, my interview is Monday,@ Jeff replied. AIt’s exciting to think I could be working for a charitable foundation. I can’t wait. What are you going to do this summer, Sarina?@

  ABesides the trip to Bali, I have several articles I want to write and have been sending queries to various magazines trying to get them published.@

  AWell, what about your Dad=s T-Ray discovery? Aren’t you going to write an article on it?@

  AI already have an outline. I just have to go over it with him. His input is important and he will be signing his name to it.@ She discussed the outline to see if he had any comments to add, and shortly their food arrived.

  *

  Heidi and Bobby spent a romantic day exploring the area around Red Feathers Lake oblivious of the circumstances that brought them to this place. They seemed perfectly at peace hiking the various trails, spotting deer grazing in the meadow, and eagles soaring overhead. They relaxed for a long time on a rock overlooking the reservoir. Later they found a great spot among the aspen trees and shared the food they had brought with them. As evening shadows crept over the mountain ridge they snuggled up to a campfire.

  On Sunday they busied themselves cleaning out the cabin and tidying it up as though it was their very own special place. Bobby found some leafy branches to sweep the floor and Heidi found some flowers and a small knot of wood she used as a vase for the table. Bobby had spread his blanket over the bed platform and remarked. ATh
is place is fit for a queen, my queen.@

  They worked and played together into the late afternoon, neither speaking much yet perfectly content in the company of each other. If it hadn’t been for the smell of Italian seasonings, they wouldn’t have noticed their first guests. Jeff and Sarina were outside the front door holding pizzas and sodas.

  AThought you might be hungry.@ She was the first to speak. AI like your home.@

  Heidi smiled, inviting them in and said. AIt is all we could afford.@ The mountaineers hadn’t realized how hungry they were until the fragrance of pizza permeated the cabin.

  They all dug in and devoured the food in record time. They talked about the mountains, Jeff=s upcoming interview, the trip to Bali, the attempt on Bobby=s life and finally where he would be staying since he couldn’t go back home until the matter was resolved. AI can’t stay out here in the wilderness,@ Bobby said. AI have to go where I can get my medications. Maybe move to a different part of the state or another country.

  Heidi, who had been silent, looked over at Bobby and said shyly. AYou can stay with me until you decide.@

  AYou’d let me live with you,@ he asked, his eyes lighting up?

  AWell, for a while, just till this incident cools down. We can decide later whether to extend it or not.@ She had enjoyed the time they spent together today and felt their relationship had cemented itself quickly. She wasn’t ready for it to end, at least not now having found someone who fulfilled her dreams.

  Jeff spoke up, AAre you ready to go back to town or do you want to spend a few more days here,@ he asked them?

  AI’d like to spend the rest of my life here,@ Heidi exclaimed enthusiastically, ABut there=s no food or water here. It’s roughing it a little too much. Do you think Bobby will be safe at my house,@ she asked looking at Jeff?

  AI don’t know, but he has to go back sometime,@ Jeff replied.

  AI think we should go back to town tomorrow,@ Heidi finally said. Bobby nodded his agreement.

  AOkay, I’ll be here this time tomorrow to take you back.@ Jeff looked at Sarina as if to say, AAre you ready?@ She nodded her head. They said their good-byes, and were gone as quickly as they had come; leaving scraps of pizza and cans of soda behind.

  *

  On Monday afternoon another important meeting of the AIA was held in Washington, and both Denver Agents were required to attend. When everyone was seated the chief began. AWe invited you here today because we have created a serum that will make the alien genes in star children defective. We wanted to administer this new serum to the two star children we had in custody to test it, but when the researchers tried to administer the serum they disappeared.@

  ADo you mean we can give a shot to a star child and make him like the rest of us,@ one of the agents inquired?

  AI think that’s what they are trying to do, but it hasn’t been proven yet.@

  AWell, maybe they can reverse the process and develop a serum to give us their powers,@ the agent remarked. AI’d like to be able to teleport myself. I wouldn’t be spending money on gasoline.@ The room erupted in laughter, embarrassing the chief.

  AFolks, this is no laughing matter,@ he replied sternly. AThese people are a threat to us, to our government, and to our way of life. We have to find a way to stop them before it’s too late.@ The pitch of his voice was rising and no one wanted to mess with the chief when he got riled up.

  AThe next topic on the agenda is T-Rays discovered by an astronomer in Denver. It gives them the ability to find living planets using what this astronomer calls T-Rays. I just received a bulletin that a planet has been discovered in the Orion Cluster that might be the origin of these star children. Now that we know their source we can devise ways to deal with them. Our connections around the world place star children in the thousands. In fifty years it will be too late to stop them, and the higher-ups want us to design a plan to eliminate them now. I’m asking all of you to infiltrate these groups, learn as much as you can, who they are, and what their motives and special abilities are.

  AIf we don’t have the technical capability to send space ships to destroy this planet, how are we going to stop them from sending more star children here,@ another inquired?

  AFor now we will just observe what is going on, and we will try to discredit them, condemn them as terrorists or something,@ the chief responded. AWe need to know as much as possible. It’s a big assignment, but if we work together we should be able to get the results we need. That is all for now. Thank you for coming. Oh, Jones would you and Cleaver come into my office? I have a matter to discuss with you.@

  *

  Once in the Chief=s Office he closed the door behind them. AWhat can you tell me about the computer hacker who broke into our files? Has he been dealt with?@

  AYes, we disabled his computer and sent two men to deal with him,@ Jones replied matter-of-fact.

  ABut we don’t have a body.@ Cleaver asserted. AWithout a body how do we know he didn’t escape?@

  AOur men confirmed they saw him die from their gun blasts. Why are you questioning me, Cleaver,@ Jones asked?

  AShe’s right. Without a body you will never know if you got him,@ the Chief stated. ABetter see that the job is completed.@

  *

  Jeff drove downtown for his job interview, and on his way back up the turnpike he noticed a familiar black sedan behind him. He pulled off at his exit and waited by the side of the road for the agents to catch up to him. As they got out of their car and approached his, he rolled down the window and smiled. APleasant day we’re having. Are you out for a joy ride?@ He said trying to be friendly.

  Jones glared at him from behind his dark shades. AYour friend has been up to something again,@ he announced in a condescending voice.

  AWhat friend? I have many friends, and I’m not responsible for them,@ Jeff replied.

  Jones answered back in his husky voice. AYou have a friend up the street. You do know about the killing on your block last week, don=t you?@

  ASomebody died? When?@ Jeff asked keeping his cool.

  AYes, just a few doors from your house,@ Jones replied.

  AWho was it? What happened?@

  Jones was becoming annoyed at Jeff=s nonchalant attitude. AWe heard the Ferris boy was killed outside his home last Friday night. Do you know anything about that?@

  AI’m afraid I can’t help you. I thought he left town.@ Jeff replied. AWhy did you want to kill him?

  AI didn’t say we wanted to kill him. I just asked if you know anything. That’s all.@ Jones was getting irritated with Jeff.

  About that time Cleaver who had been listening spoke up in a pleasant condescending voice. AWe are concerned for him. He has been prying into top-secret files. It=s a federal offense, you know. They are sensitive files and someone may want him dead.@

  AWell, if and when I see him I will tell him to not do it again.@

  AThat won’t be necessary. He won’t be using his computer for a long time,@ Jones snapped back with a note of finality as he turned around and headed back to his car.

  *

  Heidi and Bobby were ready for Jeff when he appeared at the cabin a short time later and he transported them both back to Heidi=s apartment. He cautioned Bobby to stay in hiding, at least for a week or until he decided where he was going to move.

  Later that evening Jeff told his mom the good news about his interview and subsequent job offer, and she suggest he accept it. AAfter all it would be a wonderful opportunity to see the world and get paid at the same time,@ she replied all smiles. AWe will miss you around here.@

  AMom, I will be home often. I can still mow the lawn for you and help you trim the weeds.@

  AI know, but it’s time for you to have a life on your own, get married, settle down, and have some kids of your own. Did I ever tell you I love grandchildren?@ She said smiling, making Jeff blush. He guesse
d now that he had graduated from school he was supposed to have children.

  AAw, Mom, that’ll come soon enough. Would you want a bunch of kids around disappearing on you all the time?@

  ANo, but the patter of little feet would be nice.@

  AIt’ll come soon enough,@ he replied.

  ABy the way, where is Bobby? I haven’t seen him since your graduation.@

  AHe’s out of town for a few days.@ That was easy. He was telling the truth, but not the total truth.

  AWell, I miss him stopping by.”

  AI do too,” Jeff acknowledged.

  Chapter 9

  Jeff sat comfortably at his desk in the bedroom, his eyes closed, and mind projected through space. He quickly found himself on the Dossian campus, where he waited for John to show up. What appeared to be a small image no more than a foot tall expanded to be him. Wearing a long white robe, he spoke. AI came to you in this manner to show you that the appearance of size doesn’t matter. It’s a perception, a small seed can grow a huge tree, and a thought can create a universe or move a mountain. Never underestimate the power of your thoughts, Jeff.

  Today, I want you to tell you about this planet. Since I’m new, I’ve been studying Dossian history and principals. They are further advanced mentally than Earth beings. I have a lot to learn, and each day it’s something new. I’m never bored. For instance, I haven’t yet learned how to separate myself to be in two places at once. When I learn this I will be able to absorb knowledge from many sources at the same time. That is why I wasn’t here to greet you. I was conversing with someone else.

  AI want to explain a little about Dossian time. They measure time here by the completion of events, not structured hours, although some citizens still keep track of day to day activities.@ John wore the trace of a smile, like he was expecting to surprise someone. He was one of the few who looked mature, and had an air of authority about him. Maybe he retained it from his many lives on Earth. He carried himself properly; chest puffed out, and poised to leap forward at the slightest inclination.