Gwen would laugh asking Matt to hold her while they slept the night away bone tired from the demanding training.
******
On Scio the former Atlantians were preparing to depart at a moment's notice. The six member Atlantians were sitting in a circular room at a round table listening attentively to a member of the High Council. "We've decided to have you on Earth's moon when they land. That way they wouldn't know our rate of space travel. Besides, this will give you an opportunity to witness their arrival. Pay particular attention to their facial expressions when meeting you. We very much desire that this first encounter go well. Earth has about 7 billion people with the majority situated in the Asian region. That region will be our first place to transfer humans to the Scio system. Are you prepared to depart in a few days?"
Lucas said, "Yes, High Council we're ready leave at anytime you desire. There's one thing, if you High Council members would permit me asking, How many humans would be transferred at a time. And are we to inform them of humans being transported to Scio?"
"Yes, you can ask, Lucas. However, that is rather redundant now don't you think? We are confident that you and your other members can persuade or convince we mean no harm and have only their best interest in mind. Leaving the humans to continue the Earth's destruction is unacceptable. It was and it can be a very lovely place if left to regenerate itself. If worse comes to worse, we'll have to show them what the future holds if left to their own devices. However, showing the humans the future is not a good idea as you well know. They'd think we're playing God. In answer to your question about how many at a time, we can safely transport a billion a year with ease. The hard part, or the slowest part, is the shuttle from Earth to our transport ships."
"We thank you for your answer to our questions. If I might ask one more please," said Lucas.
"Of course," said the oldest of the Council.
"Would it be possible to exchange some of us original Land of Contentment beings for Earthlings? That would be for some further education from us to them about life outside their solar system? We think that might help pave the way for the future transplants without any protesting."
"We thought of that and have come to the same conclusion as you have. Yes, we can exchange some of our more senior transplants to educate the humans about life outside their solar system. On our transport ship we'll send forty of your people to reside on Earth. After you arrive and make contact then it would be appropriate to introduce the forty exchange program. Anymore questions Lucas?"
"No and we thank the High Council for your patience with us mere humans." The six member Atlantians left the council room stepping on a circular escalator that wound down to the bottom level. As they left the room the senior High Council member asked, "Are we confident that these former humans we're sending to their moon are trustworthy?"
"I for one have seen no indication of treachery or have noticed anything unusual with our subjects. But that doesn't mean I trust them completely. Remember we have back up redundancies if needed."
Another more high pitched voice was heard. "I was observing two of our six members talking in their residence. Their conversation was standard for the subject, but I did notice an eye affliction in both subjects. I suppose it could be the dry recycled air in the rooms. I feel we are proceeding on schedule."
The senior High Council member said, "We have no fear as we have power that they're unaware of if we need it. If they don't cooperate, we will have to use some gentle or not so gentle persuasion."
*****
It was the weekend for the team. They had two days free before liftoff Monday morning. The six members A team sat in the flight training lunch room drinking their choice of beverage. An outsider would see an excited stress related atmosphere surrounding the team. A multitude of quips were flying around the table to relieve the tension. As it happens, an outsider comes in making all relax a little. That someone was James Thompson from down under. He had a great sense of humor. He and Bernie hit it off from the beginning. With a straight face, James asked Bernie, "Do you suppose Bernie they're gay aliens?"
With an equally straight face, Bernie said, "I hope so. I'd hate to go the rest of my life celibate. Besides, any advanced race can see I'm hard to resist. Now what about you James, are you prepared upon being approached to do your best for God and country?" Raucous laughing was heard down the hall where office personnel were doing paper work. They smiled thinking how they'd like to be there having fun too.
Gwen and Chora seemed to hit it off. She was older, but looked years younger than her 36 number. Her degree in Sociology presented the team with a strong sense of community. Just being around her made all feel like family. Gwen wished she had met her much earlier in life.
After it quieted down Matt said, "We have a couple days to do what we want. You're free to go and do what you feel like doing. Gwen and I are going to the beach for some salt water swimming. Any who want to come are welcome. Our foundation will foot the bill so cost is not an issue. If you want to go, tell Gwen and she will make the reservations. Blake has a small bus to shuttle us to the coast. All I'm taking is my bathing suit and a toothbrush. Well maybe a razor too."
As it turned out, all the team members went to the coast to relax and swim. Who knew when this would happen again? Gwen confided to Matt she felt a foreboding hovering over this trip. She said, while packing her back pack, "Tall Man, I don't sense any physical harm, but I do sense a weighted feeling of remorse about meeting the Scio folks. How about you?"
Matt too was stuffing his back pack with a towel, sweat pants and so on. He stopped and said, while looking fondly upon his future wife, "Honey, I think whatever we are faced with we are smart enough to figure a way to deal with any issue that arises."
"What if they kidnap us and transport us to Scio whether we want to go or not. I've our baby inside me and really not to keen on the idea of it being born off world. However, let's not look an opportunity in the mouth," as she hoisted her back pack on ready to go. Matt followed suit and soon they were aboard the small bus with the others. He too wondered about the future with Gwen and their baby coming. He realized that everyone knows the future is full of uncertainty regardless of being off planet or not. Be that as it may, this weekend was meant for relaxing with friends.
Chapter Nineteen
Lucas and his six man team entered the space ship leaving Scio for Earth's moon. The Scio space ship was vastly different than the rocket ship of Earth. There would be no weightlessness aboard the Scio ship. Artificial gravity took care of that problem. Also there was no need of a pilot as computers eliminated that job. The entire flight would be monitored by Scio's minor council members.
Seats were provided for humans. On this ship there was seating for at least a hundred or more. The travel time was only a blink of an eye; or it seemed so. In actual fact, about ten hours was needed to travel the 2.5 million light years through a Scio made worm hole.
Lucas and team took their respective places. Each waited while the seats conformed to their bodies. A wrap around enclosure gently eased into place. The acceleration would take place in stages so as no G-forces would be felt. Lucas was outwardly relaxed but inwardly apprehensive of what lie ahead on the moon. It would be impossible to deceive a Scio council member. Simply put, it was conform or be displaced.
Earlier he'd talked with his mate through code. She felt confident he'd return safe and sound. She openly told him that this would be a welcome experience to use Earth language again; also to make new friends as well. He relaxed as the ship left the dock and accelerated towards the Milky Way Galaxy.
One thing that he did like and appreciate was the colored lights of the interior of the ship and the marvelous view of space as they gained speed. The red cabin lights at the beginning flashed on and off. The computers were vivid green. After in motion, the cabin lights went to a warm orange from red and from the surrounding to the floor. All of it was supposed to help the space traveler adjust to faster than light spe
ed.
Lucas felt the ship slow down as they approached Earth's solar system. He recognized Jupiter and then Mars and soon they saw their destination: Earth's moon. All the team members were rubber necking at their surroundings. The distinct blue planet Earth stood out like a beacon to any passerby.
Lucas said, "There is where we land my friends. Humans have named it the Archimedes Crater. It's kind of ironic that the leading mathematician of history has a moon crater named after him. We, or I should say, Scio left a math puzzle for entry. Well, we'll soon land and enter the chambers to make ready for our human visitors to arrive very soon."
Robots ran an artificial synthetic tunnel from the ship to the opening of the underground space. Lucas and the team had only a short walk to the moon entrance. The moon cavern was originally used for a weigh station transferring Atlantians to Scio. It had all the amenities needed for human survival and comfort: gravity, oxygen, stores of food and water, rooms for sleeping, bathrooms and an entertainment area showing videos of Scio and its solar system of planets.
The robots also were used inside to prepare food for the guests and to assist in any other needed requests. They were voice controlled programmed to an individual or a group of sentient beings. Atlantians had grown used to having robots around. No one gave it a thought that the High Council could see and hear through the robots. However, Atlantians had learned many centuries ago to not speak ill of their hosts.
Now there was little to do but wait for the earthlings to arrive tomorrow if all went well.
~~~~~
To say none of the A team were nervous would be sadly mistaken. Even trained and experienced astronauts were apprehensive at take off time. Gwen said to Matt, "At least Tall Man we had a nice weekend together by the sea. Without being pessimistic, I wonder when we will have a replay in the future."
"I'm dreaming of life on another planet with crystal clear green water with tons of fish swimming around. A white sand beach, a snorkel, a beautiful blonde and I'm a happy guy," Matt said while watching her being dressed for the space trip. He too was being assisted, as were the rest of the team. It was still two hours till lift off, but that time would fly by.
Alice said, "I suppose it's too late to back out?" All of the team and the handlers crack up laughing. "I forgot to call my mother to feed my cat."
Gwen said, "You don't have a cat Alice. I remember I asked you about any pets."
"I guess I'll have to face the music and go to the moon. I can only hope they'll take me to their solar system so I can be the first astronomer to view another solar system first hand. I can't wait to go," Alice said.
Two hours later, all firmly ensconced in the rocket, the countdown continued. In the control room Blake and Jerry were watching with anticipation, hoping for a successful flight. For a man like Sir Blake, he could care less about the welfare of the team on board, but if something happened, he would be ruined. His former wife had always told him he was a selfish bastard and that someday he would stick a pistol in his mouth to end the misery. He smiled thinking about that as that is exactly what she did ten years ago. That pistol sat in his desk at home in the bottom right hand drawer fully loaded.
For each team member, the G forces of lift off threatened to shove their chests to their backbone. The rocket shook and shimmed as it lifted off right on schedule. It only took a little while until they were free of Earth's atmosphere precisely on course to the moon. Now they had about three days until arrival on the moon.
JB, Barry, Liz were watching it on TV, as well as Gladys back home in London. She had tears flowing down her cheeks praying to God for the safety of her new found friends. JB had a tear roll down his cheek wishing he were younger to enjoy the trip with them, but he had his new friend Maria to brighten each day.
Sir Blake was ecstatic. The flight to moon went without a hitch. With camera running, as the capsule containing the A team descended to the moon's surface, a gasp was heard in the control room as the camera revealed a space ship sitting on Archimedes Crater. It was difficult to determine how big it was, but certainly much larger than NASA space shuttle.
The team inside watched the camera as the shuttle slowly descended to the surface. Not a word was spoken. All were suited for the elements of the moon. As they landed, Matt spoke to mission control. "We've touched down on the surface. I'll be the first one out and see what is what. The rest will stay behind until I give the go signal."
Gwen said, "Be careful Matt. I've grown accustomed to your being so for our baby's sake, be aware." Matt was shocked to hear his name as she rarely called him by his first name. He smiled as he opened the door to greet the silence surrounding him.
He had a double take on the sleek spaceship not far away from the capsule. It was larger than any airplane on Earth. As a matter of fact, it was longer than a football field and shaped like a cigar. The color, Matt noticed, was similar to the box and tubes found on Atlantis. He wondered if the same metal was used.
His focus came back to a long tube like thing running from the ship to what looked like was a pile of volcanic rocks. He quickly came to the conclusion that it was a walkway. How nice he thought, as he slowly walked to the end of the tube. The moon's gravity was such that he was very light on his feet.
As he neared the end of the tube, his heart was racing. Mission Control said, "Matt, take a few deep breathes and relax. Your heart rate is at maximum and your BP is high. Stop and look around. As the young people say, 'be cool.'"
Matt did as told. He stopped and by magic a door swung open at the end of the tunnel. An obvious robot stood there and said, "Welcome Matt. Please step forward and enter our double door chamber where you can relieve yourself of that space suit."
Once again, Matt did as told. As he entered the doorway, he saw on the other side of a glass door a man smiling at him. He looked pure human. He said, "Don't be scared, I'm Lucas formally of Atlantis. The oxygen level has been supplied to you so you can remove your helmet in safety." The glass door slide sideways to see Lucas take a deep breath. Matt removed his helmet.
Matt stuck out his gloved hand and then said, "Sorry about the glove. Wait a minute while I rid myself of this cumbersome space suit. The robot helped him and soon he was standing in front of Lucas in his space underwear. "Sorry again about the way I'm dressed, but such is our level of space travel at the moment."
"I’m happy to meet you Matt," said Lucas. "I can assure you that you and your team are very safe here. If you care to take a look around and meet my team members, follow me please."
Standing in the middle of the room Matt saw five average looking humans. However, he wondered about the inside make up. How much remained of the original human body. Well, just another question to ask as time goes on. First he met Mia then Kira, Iana, Zorian and Jovan followed. Matt shook hands with each one with sincere warmth. All Atlantians felt his warmth.
After a quick look around Matt decided that it was time to invite his crew to the party. It looked and felt safe to him. He told Lucas and soon his five member A team was trudging across the moon's surface to the what became known as the 'Slinky Tunnel.' Bernie was the one who suggested it reminded him of the old slinky that somersaulted down stairs. He told them his father gave him one brand new in a box.
Soon all were in the circle cavern sitting at a large circle table. The robots had brought coffee, tea and snacks for the earth people to munch on while they talked. Lucas spoke first, with a slow double blink, he said, "No doubt you have a lot of questions and we will truthfully answer the best we can. I'll give you a little back ground then we can open the table up for questions.
We are indeed descendants of what you call Atlantis. Coincidentally Scio daily to yearly time is about half your Earth's time. With that being the case, I'm over 500 years old. On our planet we are disease free. The common cold is a thing of the long ago past. If an organ wears out a replica is used to replace the defective or worn out one. All of us here," as his arms swept around the table, "have many new parts o
r organs inside us. Ironically, the brain doesn't seem to wear out, but only develops both in size and intellect.
So much for us former Earthlings; now onto the Scio civilization and who they are. Physically they're indescribable. It's impossible for our human eyes to see them. They're pure energy seemingly everywhere or nowhere at the same time. Sometimes we can see a blurry haze pass by or hover for a period of time. Their history is unfathomable. It's more than 2 million of earth years old. Only they know for sure. It's more than reasonable to think we are being monitored as we meet. They have a High Council that, for lack of a better word, governs their solar system and beyond. When we meet they speak to us in a language we can relate to. Latin is what we grew up with. Since we are meeting with you, English is the preferred language we use.
Now to the reason we are meeting at this time in history. We can't fully answer that 'why' question, but we can say this much. Like a mother who would do anything to protect her family, Mother Scio has decided that Earth should become part of the Scio family. I'd best stop here and let you nice people think about what I've said up to this point."
The A team, because it was a circular table, could see one another very easy. Matt looked at each member. Gwen said, after looking around on her own, then to Matt she nodded, "Please continue Lucas. You're doing very well. So far nothing has shocked us but has led us to feel more confident that no harm is going to befall us."
Kira jumped in and said, "Heavens no Gwen. The Scio beings are not intending any harm to you or to the Planet Earth. Indeed they possess the power to destroy a planet, that power hasn't been used for many, many millenniums. From our perspective the Scio beings are intellectuals and not warriors. They've seen Earth rapidly advance forward in the last two hundred years. The Earth's technology has grown exponentially. As a matter of fact, according to our view, Earth's technology has already advanced past humankind's capability to use it properly. Scio wants to help educate the 7 billion earthlings to the next step of evolution."
Lost Continent Page 16
