by Kurt Winans
Dr. Halley, while short of breath, burst through the door and asked, “Does anyone know how it happened?”
Gabriela was unable to respond, so Aurora said, “Ross just suddenly collapsed right where he is.”
A few minutes later, after a preliminary examination of the body had been completed, Dr. Halley announced, “I can confirm that Ross died less than an hour ago. I can’t tell you the exact cause at this time, but it appears to have been very quick and painless.”
Janet snapped her head around in the direction of Dr. Halley. She, along with anyone else paying moderately close attention to Ross’s affliction, knew that his death had been anything but quick and painless. Then realizing that the doctor was just doing his best to lessen the harsh reality of the present moment, Janet stood silently while resisting an overwhelming urge to correct his assessment.
Within the medical facility, the conversation topic that Janet and Dr. Halley shared with Gabriela was most certainly delicate in nature, but it was also necessary. In order to solicit Gabriela’s help, they had jointly decided that she deserved to know everything. After vowing, at least in the short term, to remain silent about the content of the upcoming briefing, Gabriela listened intently to all that was conveyed. Although Janet and Dr. Halley, along with those of the dedicated scientific team working on the problem, were still perplexed as to the true origin and complexity of the virus, they openly shared what was known with her. Once she realized how the process might assist with the greater good, and knowing Ross had based many of his decisions on that same belief system, Gabriela reluctantly agreed. With a stern look in her eye, Gabriela then said, “I hope you understand my initial hesitation, and please maintain the appropriate level of respect for Ross while doing so, but I agree that a complete autopsy of his body is in order. Like you, I need to know exactly what caused his death.”
Janet replied, “Thank you Gabriela. I promise you that neither of us has any intention of disrespecting him, so we will put forth our best effort.”
Nodding positively, Gabriela replied, “Thank you. Now will you please allow me one final private moment with Ross before you begin? After that, he’s in your hands.”
After working for nearly eight hours with Dr. Halley on the autopsy and the recording of their findings, Janet needed a break. What they had discovered unfortunately proved that Ross must have suffered through a horrific final moment of life.
Early in the autopsy process, the chest cavity was cut open to reveal that their task would be more challenging than was originally believed. Gasping with disbelief, Dr. Halley said, “It looks as if both of the lungs suddenly exploded!”
With a look of concern from her seated position next to the computer, Janet impulsively placed a hand on her own chest and said, “Did you say exploded?”
Turning his gaze toward who might be the next patient to face a similar fate, he replied, “I’m afraid so.”
Unfortunately the knowledge of what had ultimately killed Ross was of little comfort to them, as there was still the unanswered question of why the virus had created such a violent reaction. Long before ceasing their research efforts for the day, both Janet and Dr. Halley agreed that the newfound information should remain a secret. Although it was true that Gabriela could be trusted to remain silent about the virus and the global implication of its seemingly uncontrollable spread, it would serve no purpose for her to know that Ross had briefly endured such intense pain just prior to his death.
Emerging from Dr. Halley’s medical facility, Janet began her search for Colt and Hank. She and Colt had only the briefest opportunity to speak with Hank about Ross’s death earlier that day, and Janet felt that the conversation had been incomplete. Although Colt had remained available to provide support and field any questions that their son might have, the immediate need for the autopsy had pulled Janet away. That absence was now rectified, as the three of them sat peacefully on the beach while gazing up at the stars.
As Hank let a handful of sand slip through his fingers, Janet asked, “Did you have a chance to say goodbye to Ross?”
A few seconds later, Hank replied, “Although I didn’t see him this morning before he died, yes I did. We talked for a few hours in almost this very spot just two days ago.”
“You did? Well that’s nice.”
Placing an arm around his son, Colt then asked, “Is that when he gave you his fishing pole and the necklace?”
Drying the tears that had welled up in his eyes, Hank answered, “He gave me the necklace here at the beach, but the fishing pole was after we walked back to his dwelling.”
“I see. Well what did you two talk about?”
Now turning toward his father, he said, “As usual we talked about several different topics, but it was what Ross said just before we walked back that I will vow never to forget.”
“And what was that?”
“Ross told me that he believed greatness awaits me.”
Janet was intrigued by her sons claim, and said, “That was nice of Ross to say that. Did he explain why?”
Before Hank could reply, Colt offered up verification of the claim. He added, “Ross and I had a lengthy conversation as well a few days ago, and he also informed me that he believed greatness awaited Hank.”
Looking toward her husband with a smile, Janet said, “That’s wonderful that Ross said that about Hank to both of you, but my question remains unanswered. Although I agree with his assessment, can you please tell me why Ross had such a belief?”
Colt then proudly replied, “Well let’s see now. To begin with, Ross claimed that Hank had an ability to understand and absorb most of what people were attempting to teach him. Then he stated that Hank also knew how to process the information provided, and logically formulate a plan to solve whatever problems were presented. Next he spoke about how Hank had already developed a trust in his gut instinct to recognize, listen to, and respect the opinions of others that knew more about the discussion topic at hand. He mentioned communication skills, and that Hank used them effectively with people of most ages. Ross also made it clear that each of those traits were important aspects for leadership. Finally, he claimed that the most important reason for Hank’s future greatness was the two of us. Ross said that Hank had a built-in advantage over him because we have, and always will, support Hanks ambitions every step of the way.”
Shaken by the knowledge that the virus could prevent the final portion of that statement from becoming a reality, Janet turned her attention to Hank. Then with a tear in her eye she said, “It was very nice that Ross said all those things about your abilities, and he was correct. Your father and I will always encourage you to remain ambitious.”
“I agree that it was nice of him mom, but when Ross first talked to me about my advantage I didn’t fully understand. Then he pointed out that although we had a common mother, the conditions of our upbringing were different. Your abduction when he and Jessica were children, which was presented to them and everybody else as your death, created a tremendous void in their lives. Then everything about that time in his childhood became clear to me when he added an opinion of their father. Ross said dad was a more caring, dependable, and supportive man than his father Robert ever was.”
Janet was saddened by the fact that her abduction had not only left an understandable void in the life of her first two children, but that the event had also changed the demeanor and character of the man she met at Roswell who had fathered them. Clasping Hank’s hand she then said, “It was unfortunate for everyone involved that I wasn’t around for Ross and Jessica, but something positive came out of it. Colt and I would never have been your parents if I hadn’t been abducted.”
“I know that mom, and so did Ross. He just wanted me to be aware that I had an advantage by having both of you around all the time.”
Sensing that, for Janet’s sake, the subject needed to be changed, Colt looked to the stars and asked, “Hey Hank, I know it’s located somewhere in the constellation of Orion, but do y
ou remember which star our old home is orbiting around?”
Without hesitation Hank pointed skyward and replied, “Of course I do dad, I promised Ross that I would never forget. You see the three stars running down from the three that form Orion’s Belt? Those form the great hunter’s sword, and our moon is in orbit around the faint star just to the right of the tip.”
Janet looked to the stars to locate their former world, and then after a silent moment of contemplation said, “I hope many of Ross’s life lessons stick with you Hank, but you should also know that there is much more to leadership than a list of positive skills and traits that he correctly believed you possess. He understood, and never forgot, that his leadership could not have been obtained without the help of others. Each of us also know that Ross was a humble man, and that may be the most important trait that any leader of people should possess. He has demonstrated that humility several times with his ability to publicly admit, unlike some other leaders of his time on Earth, when he had made an incorrect decision.”
“You mean like back on our former home moon when Ross and I traveled into unexplored territory without having anyone else with us?”
“Well, yes. That’s an excellent example. If I remember correctly, Ross fell on that little adventure and hurt himself.”
“Yes he did. Ross lost his footing, and got a whole bunch of scrapes and cuts all over his body when he tumbled down that hill through the thorny bushes. Then he landed face first into a puddle of clear liquid. Ross told me that it tasted awful, and felt like some kind of thick syrup.”
Roughly thirty-six hours after their discussion on the beach, Janet, Colt, and Hank joined Aurora and Tikal in a unified effort to comfort Gabriela. The somber family gathering took place on a small rise a few hundred yards from the beach, and also included friends such as Natiya, Kristyn, Tori, Dr. Halley and others who wished to pay their respects. Although the event lacked the extreme level of pomp associated with similar ones held centuries before in honor of his predecessors, the service did possess the respectful dignity befitting a former President of the United States.
The journey that had enabled Ross to view many regions of Earth through both personal visitations and from the sky above, then his leading of the human pilgrimage to a new world in a solar system far beyond where mankind had previously thought to venture, and the eventual return to his birth world, had ended very close to where it all began. In accordance with his final wishes, Ross had been put to rest in ground that, for the briefest moment in Earth’s history, was known as Texas. Fulfilling a promise that she had made to Ross during her grandfather Robert’s funeral when she was only eight years old, Aurora faithfully carried out her given task. Now decades later by her internal body clock, and more than twenty-six centuries of elapsed Earth time, Aurora wrapped Ross in a cloak of honor. The American flag that had once been draped over the casket for the military funeral of her great-grandfather Hank, and then presented to Ross for safekeeping long before her birth, now engulfed Ross as he was lowered into his grave.
Shortly after the conclusion of the service, with Gabriela safely steadied by the strength of Colt’s arm, Janet sought out Dr. Halley. Then speaking softly so that no one else could hear, she said, “Unfortunately it will be impossible for us to obtain a sample of the substance that was responsible, but I believe I know when Ross became infected with the virus and how it entered his system.”
Throughout the initial few weeks following the funeral for Ross, Colt had been keeping a diligent watch on the actions of Hank. There could be no denial that his young son was currently in a deep funk of depression, and that mindset was justifiable. Colt was also honest with himself, as he understood that he shared similar feelings of grief. After all, they, along with many others both within the family and on the peripheral, had just lost a person of tremendous significance within their life’s journey.
Knowing that something needed to be done in order to help both Hank and himself emerge from the fog, Colt called upon an idea that he and Ross had discussed on occasion. Waiting for the opportune moment when he and his son would be alone, Colt then asked, “Hey Hank, you know those large vehicles that are used for transporting food to the citizens from the hydroponics facility?”
With head hung low while picking over his plate of fresh vegetables, Hank replied, “Sure dad. Those same vehicles also transport water and ice from the desalinization plant.”
“That’s right, and do you know how those vehicles are powered?”
“Sure. They use a large bank of collectors on the roof and side panels to harness solar power.”
“Right again, and I was thinking that maybe you and I could try to build a similar vehicle.”
“Similar?”
“Sure. We could start with the basic concept that those vehicles have, and then make a few modifications.”
Colt knew instantly that his plan had created a spark of interest within his ever curious son, as Hank turned his gaze toward him and asked, “What kind of modifications?”
“Well, although the solar panels are a fantastic way to harness energy, the speed of the vehicles and nighttime use is limited by their bulk and the storage capacity of what energy has been collected.”
“That’s true, but can that be corrected?”
“Yes. I was thinking of constructing a smaller model of the vehicles for personal use, while also adding two alternative sources of power to the equation.”
“Alternate power sources? Like what?”
“Well, wind power for one.”
“Wind power?”
“Sure. You know there is usually a steady gentle breeze blowing throughout the region, so Ross and I began kicking around an idea a few months ago. We had remembered that during our former time on Earth, some people enjoyed their recreation time by playing around in the desert. Although many of them preferred the use of a two or four wheeled motorized vehicle for transportation, a few simply captured the wind so that it would push them across the arid landscape.”
“Push them? That sounds cool, but how did they do it?”
“In most cases they built a triangular metal frame with three wheels underneath, and then raised a sail on a vertical mast to capture the wind and move them forward. When they wanted to stop, they just lowered the sail.”
“What a great idea!”
“It sure was, but it wasn’t a modern invention. The idea stemmed from many centuries before when people needed to harness the wind in order to cross the vast oceans in boats. That concept provided a free and clean energy source for anyone to use, and it eventually morphed into very limited use on land and in the sky above. Unfortunately, that alternative method to move about never really caught on with the masses.”
“What did they do when there was no wind?”
“That was the main problem, because with no wind, the three wheeled desert vehicles couldn’t go anywhere without motorized assistance. Ross and I hoped to alleviate the issues associated with those vehicles, and the problems associated with the ones used here for transporting food, water, and ice. By combining the ancient use of wind with the more modern technology of solar power, I think that you and I could do that.”
“That sounds like a good idea, but you also mentioned something about a second alternative power source?”
“You have probably never heard of the device known as a bicycle before, as I haven’t seen one around here and we didn’t have any on your birth moon either. Nevertheless, pedal power would be a fantastic addition to our vehicle.”
“Pedal power, what is that?”
Using the best visual technique that he could muster from a seated position, Colt explained how a bicycle worked and how such a device had been an excellent means of healthy transport for the masses within certain societies around the globe. Then he said, “If you and I could figure out a plausible way to apply a sail to our smaller solar vehicle, and fit each seat with a set of pedals underneath, then we would have a vehicle with three sources of power f
or use anytime of the day or night.”
“That sounds really cool. When can we get started?”
“We can start working on it today if you want to. After we finish eating, why don’t we put some thoughts down on paper and speak with some engineers in the manufacturing plant. They could probably help us build or locate most of the parts and material that we will need.”
From that moment, Colt and Hank’s thoughts became consumed by their new project. When Janet returned from yet another long day of research at the medical facility, she found her son and husband looking over drawings and a large stack of odds and ends. She didn’t really care to know what they were involved with at the present moment, but it came as a welcome sight. Their body language and boyish grins were evidence that the pile of debris had provided a necessary distraction, and had definitely altered their recent state of mind.
That evening, Janet sat silently while waiting for an explanation of their intent. When none was offered, curiosity eventually overpowered her and she inquired, “Hank, what are you and your father doing with that stack of odds and ends?”
“It’s a project that could help the community.”
“Really, can you tell me what it is?”
“Not right now mom, but after we finish building it, I’ll tell you all about it.”
Glancing at her husband, Janet could plainly see Colt’s wry smile. That was his subtle way of protecting a trust, so she looked back at Hank, and replied, “All right then. The two of you can have your little secret for now.”
Early the next morning, construction began in earnest. Colt and Hank put together the elongated triangular mainframe, and positioned the three large wheels beneath the pointed extremities for added stability. The next step was to construct the seating area, which was designed to have a singular seat for the driver placed in the narrower portion of the vehicle directly in front of the stump for the hinged mast. Two seats in a single file would then be positioned on each side of where the mast would lay flat when not in use. Each seat had ample legroom, with a set of bicycle style pedals placed in front of them.
