by K. L. Wallen
The female teenager, Sarah, recovered just hours ago, and hadn’t much of anything to say about the person who saved her. Sarah couldn’t or wouldn’t, identify the woman who rescued her, or the woman’s car. “It was just some lady in a car,” was all the girl would volunteer. Her statement is pretty much the same song and dance as reports from other children who have been taken and rescued by this mysterious woman. The cameras outside the eating establishment were there for looks only and the patrons only saw the young distraught girl enter. Remarkably, the teenager was able to take the officers back to the road that led to the tent, and identify the unconscious kidnapper. Detective Crawford always appreciated the victim’s selective memory, as he was sure Gabriella Mendez-Powers did.
The kidnapper was found, but of course, had no idea how he got there. Found at the scene was a baseball containing no fingerprints, and was admitted into evidence, even though the detective on scene insisted it was nothing more than a filthy ball some kid lost. There was also a food wrapper found near a tree not far from the tent.
Occasionally, a food wrapper would be found at the scene and proved to belong to a man or woman who lived several states away, and those persons always had solid alibis. He knew from a background check that Gabriella and her mother, took a cross-country road trip once, many years back, but that wasn’t enough evidence since they often camped and usually paid cash. Her mother wasn’t big on using credit cards.
Lance had to give Gabriella credit. She’s the best he’s ever come across, and sexiest. An emerging part of him wanted to plead with her to give up her extracurricular activities and settle down with him, but the oath he took as a law enforcement agent wouldn’t allow him to do that. He also felt that Gabriella might panic and run if he were to confront her. Losing her, didn’t sit right.
Chapter 9
Favian informed his commander that he located a prospective stem cell research candidate in the state of Minnesota, as well as one in Ohio. “Would you like me to prepare to make contact with them? I believe the MacKennas can be of assist.”
Dorn replied, “The MacKennas have been returned to their homes. They have employment that cannot be ignored. We’ll use their services, but sparingly so as not to cause them hardship. Provide the coordinates of the researchers to Warrior Lucia. Adal,” he corrected himself.
He turned to Adal. “Have you reviewed the information on how to avoid satellite detection?”
“Yes, Commander Gharm. This will not be a problem.”
“Dorn,” he stated. “You may use my first name during the time we’re aboard the transport. It is only any government officials, other than Director Cheng Lee, that will be addressed formally, and when they board to take the tour, we will all use titles.”
“Varun, I want you to interface with the stem cell institute’s computer systems and track every piece of information currently being input or canvassed, until Favian informs you that he has enough information.”
“Yes, Dorn,” replied the senior technical officer. He was grateful that he had recalled how to perform this function based on Ivanoff’s notes.
Dorn then turned back to Favian and informed him, “Work with Blaize. I want monitoring equipment, audio and visual, set up in the candidates’ places of employment and residences. Let’s find out just how competent they are before deciding whether or not to make contact.” The Commander turned in his chair and faced the blue and white planet.
Favian knew that was his cue to provide Adal the information and then to seek out their security officer, Blaize, who is an expert when it comes to stealth. The humans will never know they are being monitored. Within minutes, Adal had them stationed over the night skies of Minnesota.
As soon as Blaize verified a clear entry point, he transported down, under Ivanoff’s guidance, and installed the monitoring equipment. They then transported back up and they repeated the same covert operation that very same night at the research institute in Ohio. The listening and video equipment installed was to be heard and viewed only in medical, the Commander’s quarters, and the transport bridge’s conference room.
Hours later, Favian looked at the Earth clock and wondered why activity was occurring so early at the Minnesota institute. He then sent a message to Blaize informing him that now would be a good time for him and Ivanoff to enter Dr. Randall’s residence, and that he would let him know as soon as the researcher in Ohio reported to work.
*.*
After an excruciatingly restless night, even despite the cute firemen the other night, Dr. Stacy Randall barely caught a few winks. Today was her meeting with Cory’s parents and she knew they would be disappointed if not right out angry that she didn’t have better news to deliver at this time. Just a handful of possible treatments that may or may not work, or worse yet, may make his condition worse.
She finally gave up and decided her time would be better spent at the research institute going over the files again, looking for anything she might have missed. At 5 o’clock in the morning, she was sitting at her desk with a cup of coffee and the files in front of her. A newspaper clipping from yesterday’s paper sat on the corner. Stacy picked it up and realized that Cora must have returned either last night or early this morning. This was exactly the type of considerate thing Cora would do.
Favian listened to the first words Dr. Stacy Randall uttered, “Okay, self, let’s figure this out.” He found her strange and amusing. He heard no other sounds in the building, nor did he see any other personnel, so he figured she felt safe enough to talk to herself. He listened to her talk sporadically to herself for nearly two hours, and was impressed with the way she recanted the findings, what she should and shouldn’t say to the patient’s parents just yet, and how other research institutes might be of help. Favian assumed, from some of her utterances, that she knew of or had heard questionable rumors about a couple of these institutes. He also listened to her running dialogue on what little information she could discover on the article Cora left her.
Stacy picked up the article and reviewed it quickly once, then went back and reread it again. “Bless you, Cora,” Stacy exclaimed. She fired up the internet and began researching the article. Knowing she was alone in the building, Stacy felt free to continue to vocally reason with herself. After all, who better to listen and criticize you, than you?
“Let’s see, there are scientists in Pittsburgh and at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology creating wireless devices that will transmit signals from the brain to an area just below a spinal cord injury. If this works, the person will be able to walk, bend at the knee, pivot...” Stacy mumbled the next few words and then sighed when she realized nothing was mentioned about regaining sensation. “Okay, the technology is just too new…ten to twenty years to perfect. God, should I share this with Cory Hendrix’s parents or not?” She blew out a breath.
*.*
“Please God, give me the wisdom to help Cory and his family. I could really use some help here. A miracle? For Cory? If you can guide us to a vertebrae specialist, I can repair his spinal cord injury with stem cells.” Stacy’s prayer went quiet when she heard the front door sliding open. She wanted to give his parents hope, but not false hope.
Dr. Bill Carter strolled into the building and straight to Stacy’s office. He saw her car in the parking lot and knew she’d be alone. He hid his smile before Stacy caught sight of it. “I know you’re meeting with the Hendrix family today and wanted to give you an update on a bone specialist I located. He’s willing to review Cory’s records, as a courtesy, but isn’t available for another two weeks. He is insisting an updated scan be done within the next week.”
“What of his reputation?”
“I hear he has an excellent record, although I haven’t contacted the medical board yet to see if there are any complaints or malpractice suits against him. I’ll try to get that information before the meeting, but it probably won’t happen until early next week.” He walked behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re ve
ry tense. I wish I could tell you I had the perfect specialist, but you know I would never lie to you.”
She placed her hands on top of his and thanked him. “Well Dr. Carter, I can at least inform them that we’re thoroughly researching specialists to make sure they have no malpractice suits against them. That’s a plus.” She half-heartedly spoke as she leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk and then brought her forehead down into the palms of her hands.
“Bill. Please, call me Bill. It’s just the two of us here now, no need to stand on formalities.” He moved around to the front of her desk and sat down in the chair.
“You’re right. I appreciate your willingness to do this.” She pushed the article Cora left on her desk over to him. “Had you heard of this research?”
Just then, Cora walked in and put a fresh box of tissue on Dr. Randall’s desk. “You might need this. The Hendrix’s will be here in an hour. I’ll make sure a fresh pot of coffee is ready.”
Stacy smiled sweetly at her. “Thank you Cora. And thank you for the article. If we can’t solve his problems now, just maybe in ten or twenty years,” Stacy didn’t finish the sentence, but could tell Cora understood what she wasn’t vocalizing. Once Cora closed the door, Stacy remarked about how fortunate they all are to have Cora there. Dr. Bill Carter agreed.
*.*
Warrior-Healer Favian contacted Varun and asked him to upload all of the documentation on the research institute in Minnesota and on a patient by the name of Cory Hendrix, immediately. He also requested that he send the monitoring feed from Ohio to his data pad, which he would review later.
Favian then continued to watch and listen to Stacy and Bill. He found Stacy to be very attractive and caring, but did not like the predatory look in Dr. Bill Carter’s eyes when she wasn’t looking.
When Dr. Carter reminded her of their Sunday outing to the Viking’s football game, he liked him even less. He didn’t know what a Viking’s football game was, but he understood the word outing. The Ohio institute could wait. Favian wanted to see what he could do to help Stacy with her patient. If it’s only a matter of correcting the youngling’s vertebrae, then he could very likely give her the miracle she asked for.
The next hour he listened as Dr. Stacy Randall spoke calmly with Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix. She provided them with as much reassurance as she could, without promising something that she or other institutes may not be able to deliver at this time. Stacy was very compassionate and reassured them that new medical techniques were coming out like never before. She shared the article, but emphasized that this is not something she would see the American government approving for at least another ten years or more. She further went over what other institutes were doing, and was looking deeply into their progress.
Stacy then told them that no clinic would consider Cory’s case until he completes his psychological profile, and that they have located a vertebrae specialist who is willing to look at Cory’s file. She added that she has scheduled Cory’s scan for Tuesday morning and that she feels confident the stem cells she has been manipulating in the lab are complete and busy multiplying, as good little stem cells do. She said it with such lightheartedness that her tone eased the serious mood considerably.
When Mrs. Hendrix likened stem cells to rabbits, Dr. Randall told her that was a very accurate comparison. Favian wasn’t sure about the reference and intended to look up rabbits, perhaps these rabbits could supply them stem cells.
Lastly, she informed the Hendrixs’ that she had been in contact with several organizations and wealthy private individuals who are willing to assist with the majority of the costs, if Cory turns out to be a viable candidate.
Hours later, Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix thanked Dr. Randall for her candor, apologized for Cory’s unwillingness to participate in this meeting, and headed home.
Favian watched as Stacy closed her office door and returned to her desk. She swung her chair around so her back was facing the door. Tears pooled in her eyes and she grabbed at the Kleenex. “He’s so young. Please help me find a way to help him,” she pleaded to her God.
Favian pulled up the files Ivanoff and Varun transferred to his data pad and began reviewing them. Several hours later, he requested a meeting with Commander Dorn Gharm and Blaize.
*.*
The three of them met in the conference room. Favian presented the information on Dr. Stacy Randall first, her credentials, the trials she has participated in, her exceptionally high academic standing, and recommendations by colleagues. He then replayed the monitoring of her running dialogue when she entered work, along with parts of her conversations with her young patient’s parents. Next, he shared the medical report on Cory Hendrix, and waited.
Commander Gharm remained quiet while Favian presented his case. He then asked him what he recommended.
“Dorn, I can deliver the miracle she wants. I’ve reviewed his files and I can correct the misaligned vertebrae where the spinal cord injury is. Our medic bots are small enough to reconstruct the bone without coming in contact with the nerves. Human medical instruments are significantly larger which will make this treatment impossible without coming into contact with one or more nerves, add to that the instruments are controlled by a human doctor. Nor do humans possess the technology capable of intricately remodeling and repositioning bones. One momentary lapse of concentration on the doctor’s part,” he didn’t get the opportunity to finish.
The Commander interrupted, “Favian, would your candidate not have realized this?”
“The way I heard her pray and ask for a miracle, I suspect she believes there’s little hope at this time, given their medical technology, but she’s willing to seek out advice from other doctors. Bones are not her specialty. She cares deeply for this youngling.”
Favian paused and took a sip of his vitamin water. “After reviewing Cory Hendrix’s medical records, current human medical practices and technology, I can state with certainty that Cory Hendrix cannot be helped, without our intervention. With your permission I’d like to correct his vertebrae, and then we can observe Dr. Randall’s stem cell procedure.”
“Do it,” Commander Gharm ordered. He then turned to Blaize. “Work with Favian to get the youngling up here for treatment. His absence and return must not be detected. Once this is done, I expect you and Favian to review the candidate in Ohio and provide a report.”
Pleased, Favian thanked his commander and Blaize. Before Favian left the bridge, he walked over to Ivanoff and wanted to know if he could locate information on something called a Viking’s football game, and how to get there in two-day’s time. He then asked him to assign a tech to extract information on wireless transmitters placed into the brain with receivers in other areas of the body. “Stacy mentioned a place in Switzerland creating such technology, but I know not where this Switzerland is. Blaize might be able to pull up a close-up of the article she was reviewing in her office.”
Ivanoff may be only a secondary technical officer but he is the only warrior aboard with any sort of knowledge concerning Earth technology and culture. The senior technology officer and the other two technicians are following his lead and learning.
Chapter 10
Ivanoff went to medical to meet with Favian and Blaize.
“I’ll need your expertise when we retrieve the youngling. Are you able to provide help?” Blaize posed to Ivanoff.
Ivanoff smiled. He appreciated the recognition Commander Gharm’s security officer was giving him. “Yes. The Hendrix home does not register a home security system. I don’t know if they have any dogs,” he explained to Blaize what a dog was, then continued, “but if they do, offer pieces of meat to keep them quiet. Cory is their only youngling. If we transport down once they retire for the night, we can render them unconscious and transport Cory back here for treatment. The procedure can be done before daybreak, correct?”
“Yes,” Favian responded.
“Ivanoff, might there be any other security measures in place, other than what we encountere
d at the labs and the doctors’ residences?” queried Blaize. On their prior trips down, Blaize discovered there are many variations to security systems, some being self-designed to alert the human someone had been there. In Dr. Tishman’s home, she had left a thin piece of yarn that fluttered to the floor when they opened her bedroom door. Had it not been for their keen Pzianian observation skills, they would have missed that.
Ivanoff smiled. “I learned a lot from L.C., Kodiak, and Olivia. Like before, we will transport to the back of the house and scope out the premises before entering. This way we’ll know if any of the humans are awake, if they have dogs, what kind of locks they have on their doors, and if they have any electronic security. You’ll get more practice on the breaking and entering skills Olivia trained me on. Each opportunity allows us the likelihood to catalog new measures of security. The yarn at Dr. Tishman’s was one I had not expected. She was clever in that the coloring was the same as the carpeting in the hallway.”
“Once inside we’ll use what,” Ivanoff chuckled, “the humans called the Vulcan Pinch Thingy. Favian can then give them an injection to keep them asleep for as long as needed.
What we must watch out for are for neighbors who may be awake. Many humans have two story homes and are able to look down into the backyard of their neighbors. They may also have motion detector floodlights that activate. I’d suggest bringing the electrical disruptor with us just in case, since Kodiak isn’t with us. However, I should forewarn you that the disruptor should only be used in extreme emergency.”
“Why? And, why would Kodiak being with us matter or not?” Blaize pondered.
Ivanoff raised his hand to the back of his neck, squeezed, and rolled his head downward into the palm of his hand. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, then looked up at the waiting warriors. “First, the electrical disruptor causes permanent damage and has a wide range. If there are any humans on life-support systems in the area, they may die. Next, Kodiak would be able to tell us if there is any human equipment present and precisely where it is located. Not only does he have the power of knowing, he can move without detection, detect minutiae of energy, and communicate with nature. It’s as if he has direct ties with the universe. Like I said earlier, there’s no explaining Kodiak, nor do we know of all of his gifts. Kodiak is something, more. Fleet Commander Scorpak and us warriors who were with him, believe Kodiak’s a descendant of a Navajo God and Goddess.”
