* * *
The next thing Greg knew he was sitting on the sofa with his family. Becky jumped up in shock and the kids looked at their dad as if he was an alien. No one said a word. They had no idea what to expect as Greg sat there and stared into space. Slowly he came around and his eyes once again focused on his surroundings. He looked around and a smile creased his face and said, “Hi honey, I’m home.”
Becky’s face turned from fear to happiness and the kids jumped onto his lap. Jasper forced his way between his legs and nuzzled up to him. Becky stood there and waited while the kids made sure it was their father and not some alien creature inside him. Greg said, “Ok kids sit down on the rug and I will tell you a story. Becky, sit down with me while you hear one of the most bizarre stories of your life.”
Greg told them a ‘Readers Digest’ version of his experience. He left all the major details out of it. The kids were fascinated by the description of the aliens. Soon they were bored with the story and returned to watch a movie with John Wayne beating up a bad guy. Becky made the kids go to bed and she and Greg sat there talking for a few hours. Greg found out two days had passed when he thought it was only a few minutes he was gone. Greg’s final words to her were, “Not to worry all is going to be fine for the human race,” as they drifted off to sleep.
Greg woke up feeling better than he had ever felt in his life. Energy flowed through him like a raging river. All of his senses were sharp as a razor. He sat on the edge of the bed with Jasper staring at him. Greg realized he could read the simple mind of his dog. The dog too was tuned in to him. Greg said wordlessly, “Jasper, you are a good dog.” Jasper waged his tail and a faint message came from his small brain.
Becky was still sleeping but the kids were in front of the TV watching another Wild West movie. Greg slipped into the shower and his recall of his meeting with the aliens was crystal clear to the word. He felt a little giddy with his new awareness and thought he best keep in to himself for awhile. Becky came into the bathroom and joined him in the shower. Greg could hear most of her thoughts but not all. He took her in his arms and let the water run over their bodies. He stood back while she washed her hair and then he washed her body. His hands had taken on acute feelings of touch. Somehow his knowledge of the human body had increased exponentially; and his fingers found pressure points that made her moan with pleasure. “My god,” she said panting, “where did you learn that technique?”
Greg laughed and said, “I’ve been reading a book on Chinese acupuncture.”
After the pleasant and satisfying shower they made a plan to go eat at the mess hall. First Greg called the president to say he was home safe and sound and that he would fill her in on the story at breakfast. He made a plan to have the entire base fill the conference hall and set up closed circuit TV for the people who couldn’t find a seat in the hall. The meeting was set for two pm after lunch. Greg checked his gun and ejected the clip. Made sure nothing was in the barrel and tried to dry fire the weapon. Nothing happened, he checked the safety and it was off. He tried again to pull the trigger and nothing moved. It was like it was frozen. Greg smiled and said outloud, “It’s begun.”
They motored to the mess hall and found the president with an anxious face waiting for them. Greg had a big smile on his face as he heard her thoughts about how she missed him and was glad he had safely returned to her. While eating breakfast of powdered eggs and toast, he told her about the experience in rough detail. Details he would tell her later in a private meeting. Hilary found him more confident and seemingly powerful in his demeanor. She felt small in his presence and it was a comforting feeling of a protector of sorts.
Greg said, “I will call a general meeting of the base for two pm today and give them a report from the contact they made with me.”
Chuck and Bubba stopped by and slapped him on the shoulder making alien jokes to their friend. Greg filled them in a little and asked them to spread the word about the afternoon meeting. After breakfast he went to his office where he set up the arrangements for the meeting. He took his gun out and threw it in the trash can along with his holster.
By one thirty the hall was spilling over with people trying to get a seat to hear about an alien encounter by their base leader. Cameras were set at two angles and for the folks not able to find a seat hurried to their respective homes or centers where TV’s were located. On the small stage sat a podium and some chairs in a semi-circle behind the podium. Precisely at two in walked Greg, followed by the president and her staff, along with the secret service took their respective places. Greg dressed in his usual slacks with a pinstriped dress shirt and dark tie, over which his customary wool sweater gave him a look of an ordinary man. However as the ones closest to him saw, his eyes had a new intensity never seen before. His eyes looked they had doubled in size, but in actuality they were the same size as before. As he gazed around the room and looked into the camera, he seemed to touch everyone he looked at. They felt a little scared of his seemingly new found strength.
The hall went silent and he spoke like a father to his children. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you about my experience and what was related to me aboard a space ship occupied with intelligent life from another world. First, they mean us no harm, only good will come from this encounter. Life on earth will be vastly changed for the better. We will live in peaceful harmony with all humans on earth. Our planet is very important for the co-existence of life in the universe. I don’t have all the answers to your questions, but in time all, they say, will become evident. We as specie, have no choice in this change as our new friends have technology far beyond ours. Some very specific rules must be followed for the master plan to succeed. Tomorrow at about this same time all of you here and around the globe will hear them speak to you inside your heads. Don’t panic, but listen carefully. Major changes will occur and everyone will be equal on this planet. In a sense, we are going back to the earth where our forefathers were before: living off the land. My friends,” and all could feel his sincerity, “that is all for now. Tomorrow will be the day when start a new beginning. Don’t fear the unknown, learn from it and live with the thought that your fellow human being is you best friend.”
Greg and the president walked out to the small conference room and closed the door leaving the crowd of people completely speechless. Unconsciously and without regard for his superior, Greg sat down at the head of the conference table. The president sat at the other end and the rest of the staff, including Bubba, Chuck and the new additions, Steve, Jenny and his wife. All of them could feel the power emanating from him. Even though his eyes were intense, they also gave off warmth and security. He didn’t tell them he could read their minds. His basic instinct told him privacy was a precious commodity reserved for each individual. Greg still didn’t understand fully what was required of him, but the human in him said he didn’t have anything to lose. What scientists had been saying for three decades or more that man was destroying his own house: earth.
All eyes were on him and Jasper put all of them at ease when he laid his head on Greg’s lap and made soft sounds of love.
Greg said, “So many changes are coming. We must endorse the changes and work as a unit across the world. Communication will cease to exist. If need be a message will be sent by runner or simple word of mouth. Changes have already occurred and he asked the secret service agent for his weapon. The agent gave it to him as Greg asked him, “Is it loaded agent?”
“Yes,” as he handed it barrel first.
Greg clicked off the safety as a gasp was heard from the table. Even Becky gave off a startled noise. Greg cocked the weapon and pointed it to his head. Sounds of, “no no,” were heard as Greg pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. He tried with all his strength to pull the trigger. His new strength produced a broken trigger which fell on the floor. He handed the gun back to the agent. The agent punched out the clip and emptied the chamber of the lethal bullet. Greg said, ‘No weapon on earth will function. From the smallest to the b
iggest bombs are either deactivated or fused. After tomorrow, a weapon raised in anger will result in the hand being lost. A voice filled with angry words to another person a tongue will be lost. Violence as we have experienced for thousands of years is history. All of this and more you will hear tomorrow.”
He stood up and said, “Well, back to waiting and I for one am going outside for a walk. It’s a beautiful day and I want to spend some time in fresh air. Anyone want to join me?”
Jasper let off a yelp and smiles returned to all faces as they said in unison, “Let’s go.”
Hundreds of folks were outside enjoying the mild temperatures and bright sunshine. Greg looked up at the sky and for the first time in memory felt good. He put his arm around his wife while his kids played in the melting snow. Sounds of joy and laughter echoed across the mountain. He spotted Clarence with Jenny staring up, no doubt wondering what they looked like, with anticipation. Tomorrow was Sunday and Bubba’s wedding day. The president looked a little forlorn. She knew her term as the most powerful person on earth had ended on a mountain in Colorado. Greg smiled knowing she had a much bigger role to play in the future. A role where she could use her fine education to a much better end than running a government full of leaky holes.
Greg and his followers walked down the now clear of snow road for a mile or two. The kids were tagging along and Jasper dashed her and there. Greg Jr. shouted and pointed at a rabbit scared up from the noise of people and Jasper took off on a dead run chasing the much faster rabbit. The sun had dropped behind the mountain as late afternoon came to a close. Night followed soon and tomorrow would bring a wealth of new knowledge for the earth people.
Blackie was cussing up a storm. They’d been holed up in St. Louis for a month since the train fooled him. Stopping off in Joliet they found the prison empty. After that they headed for the city. In the city they holed up in a warehouse and scrounged for food and warmth. When the storm broke, Blackie and his gang made some plans to steal money and jewels. They would head south east to Florida and steal a boat and down to South America.
The president had been in contact with Washington and reported what she had witnessed and experienced. At first the vice-president was hard pressed to accept her story, but in the end he said they would wait for the expected message on the marrow.
Around the world people crawled and dug their way out of the storm. Hot soup centers were established and bakeries with smoke pouring out of them were some of the first things baked in many countries. The surviving animals searched for food. About the only fairly normal thing was the ocean. Life there went on pretty much as normal except for the sea mammals. Those that survived were thin, but hardy. Everyone expected life to return to normal, but they all had a rude awaking the next day.
That night in the mess hall, Roy put on the dog. He found enough meat to make hamburgers and baked buns. He robbed his precious supply of cheese and onions. Cases of canned soft drinks dotted the tables along with the restaurant packs of ketchup and such things for burgers. As usual Greg and family sat with the president and her staff. The kids were ecstatic over the burgers. Even Jasper had a burger without the sauce. Greg could hear and feel both happiness and fear for the coming day. For now great cheer was seen as people enjoyed their special dinner. After dinner everyone went their separate ways and the same for the Hoffman family. They sat in front of the TV watching another in a long line of westerns.
The following morning at ten Bubba and Wendy were married. Chuck gave the bride away and to everyone’s surprise he announced he and his lady friend wanted to get married too. A double wedding and Greg was Bubba’s best man and Chucks too. A great time for all and at noon Roy again outdid himself. He knew about Chuck getting married and his staff baked two cakes alike. For lunch fried chicken and imitation mash potatoes were served. Cases of champagne mysteriously appeared but no one was complaining. A real sense of community was felt by all. Music was played and dancing in the tunnels and the music was even piped out to the entrance of the base where hundreds of kids and adults danced and drank champagne.
At around one forty five the music stopped and a silence took over the base. Greg and family were sitting in the mess hall with the president and other friends. At two o’clock on the dot, every living soul on earth heard a voice in their heads.
“People of earth, do not despair or be afraid. Each one of you on earth can hear us through your own language. Please listen carefully. We came here to make sure earth survives for centuries to come. For countless generations war has ravaged your people and environment. Now it is time to stop before your planet is dead. Earth is important for a balance in the universe. We are a lead expedition to lay the foundations for a new world. A world without governments and a world without accumulation of wealth; all manufacturing has ended along with all vehicles that pollute the air. There is no need for politicians or police or military. The fossil fuel that remains will be used in scientific ways unheard for earth. Transportation will be by animal, boat or by foot. Wagons for transport of crops are the only means of transportation for you. Life will like living in an era in your history books where crops are grown and life was simple, but healthy. Violence against your fellow man is punishable by a hand or arm that is raised in anger. Voices raised in anger will never be heard again.
Education is required. Learning centers will be comfortably situated around the world. Computers such as you are used to will fill the centers. Your best scientists and teachers will educate you from our stock of knowledge. Disease is gone forever. Accidents are immediately healed. The list goes on and the details will be followed by the next contact. In the meantime, ten people from each country will be chosen to represent the leading educators. Those ten people for each area or country will be transported to our ship for briefing. After the completion of the briefing they will be transported back and your education will begin. Countries will no longer be divided by boundaries. Geographical areas will take their place. Each will be represented by a central place and from there smaller centers will dot the areas according to population needs. So much more needs to be said, but your representatives will bring back all of your questions with answers. Your follow up contact will be here in seven days of your time to assist you for where your final distribution of living your lives will be spent. That is all for now. In a little while the ten representatives will be notified and the following day they will be transported to our ship. Peace and good will humans.”
The celebration was over. Everybody looked at each other and had nothing to say to their friends or relatives. Greg wasn’t concerned and when the night was over, whatever the effect the aliens used would be felt the next day: a calm and common sense order would surface. Everyone got up and drifted away including Greg and his family. They had been touched now and needed time to deal with it. The message was forever locked in their memories as his was. He knew he was one of the chosen ones and the next day Steve and Jenny told him they had been notified of being selected for the trip. Greg too had been summoned as a leader for the American delegation.
Greg and Becky sat watching TV with the kids. The kids seemed to take it in stride. Kids were so adaptable and the future would see them performing well. Greg told Becky she would be one of the Centers educators along with Ben. They would live in Oregon just outside of town in a small house with a large garden. He didn’t say much more as she was still reeling from the message. That night she lay in his arms and sought his warmth and strength. It was then she realized she could communicate with him through thought. She sat up in bed and said, “How long have you been able to read my mind?”
He laughed and said, “Since I returned from my encounter.”
She jumped on top of him and held his arms down and kissed him. After the kiss he said, “Did you know Ben is in love with you?”
She laughed and said she didn’t need to read minds to know that. They made passionate love and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Chapter 29
Aboard
the mother ship all the representatives were seated in a football stadium size room. The room was circular and the tables hugged the side of the room in one large circle. Greg was just one among them and he and his friends Jenny and Steve sat on each side. Greg had no idea how many there were in the group, but estimated there was close to a thousand that filled the room. He guessed never before in the history of mankind a group representing from around the world their respective geographical areas was in one place to start a new beginning of man on earth.
Greg looked around the room at its construction. A light blue seamless enclosure seemed to fill the area from the floor to the mid part of the ceiling. From a circle the size of a baseball diamond appeared as clear glass, but he knew it was made from a technology they would soon learn. Looking up you could see countless stars as far as his eye could see. He guessed earth was below them, he didn’t know for sure.
Like the last time, colored lights came through the door less walls. The same colors danced about the room like a light show. They circled the room and each time they passed by a strange feeling went through each individual body. A short time later the purple lights showed up and now there were five of them centered in the middle of the room. The other lights disappeared through the wall leaving the purple ones left hovering in the middle of the room. All eyes were on them. In a horizontal circle they began to rotate slowly and one voice was heard inside their heads.
“Welcome to our home away from home. Who we are cannot be explained at this time. We have a name but it is too difficult to translate into your languages. Our purpose is to contact other worlds such as yours and then another construction group follows us. Their job is to build housing and the learning centers mentioned before. The next group is the equipment installers and they will lay out your new centers for living. Let me show you on a concept map how it works.”
Unearthly Snowbound Page 26
