Wanda

by carl smothers

  His eyes wild with confused anger, Oganda yelled. “What happened?”

  “As far as we can tell, the black hole turned on the facility. The system design must have failed.”

  “We used it against Lebanon, Somalia, Egypt and China. No! It did not fail. Dr. Lieu would have discovered any technical flaw. I think that somehow the Americans caused the black hole to attack us. I’m not sure how, but that has to be what happened. There are no reports of a nuclear, antimatter or RFG attack?”

  “No, sir,” Yasaid responded. “What are we going to do now, Your Highness? Is this the end?” Yasaid asked, a bit calmer now that it did not appear the Sheik would shoot him. “Your Highness, we have no weapon left to fight with. How can we go on?”

  Oganda snorted a laugh and sat down. He picked up his tea and took a sip. “Relax, this is only round one. We just lost a battle; the war is far from over. They have not heard the last from us in many respects. As Sherlock Holmes once said, I assure you, the game is still very much in play.”

  Chapter 76

  STL

  Wormhole Development Facility

  New Mexico

  Three weeks later, the video rang in and startled Harry from his thoughts. It was Bill Hart and Felix Robinette.

  Felix started. “Harry, the president wants Marc and Scott to head up deployment of the wormhole technology to support the relocation program.”

  “Good choices. Do they know yet?”

  “We wanted to get your input first. Now we’ll go ahead and tell them.”

  “So, what’s the system status?” Bill asked. “Have the safeguards been put in place and beta tested?”

  “From the data I’ve seen, I think we’re almost ready to start deployment. No one will ever use this technology as a weapon again. Our job is done. It’s funny. I feel sort of sad, but in a good way. This project has been my baby for a long time. Guess I’ll have to look for a new job. Maybe go back to Cal Tech.”

  “That’s something else we want to talk to you about,” Bill said. “We want you, Pepper, Ronnie, Michelle and Carmen Stevens to be on the first contingent to Terra. We’re going to need key people in place to direct the relocation program. The President thinks you’re the man to direct and oversee the entire effort. You will report directly to him. Do you want the job?”

  Harry thought hard for moment. I can’t believe I’m going to do this. “I think I’m nuts, but I’ll do it. When do you want us to leave?”

  “In three months, on the Orion. The facilities have already been set up on Terra so it should be an easy transition for you and your team.”

  “How is General Holmes doing?” Harry asked.

  “He’s going to make a full recovery,” Hart said. “His pain must have been enormous during the attack. I don’t know how he kept himself together.”

  “I’m glad he’s going to make it. He’s a real patriot. It would be a shame to lose him.”

  Harry sat in silence, thinking about the enormous trials he and his team had gone through. What started out as a wonderful project to give mankind the ability to explore the stars, deteriorated into a war with terrorists that cost many good people their lives, and almost resulted in the destruction of the United Sates. He thought about Wanda, and almost cried. They had started this adventure together, weathered many catastrophes and now, as they had finally achieved their goals, she was not there to share it. A tear rolled down his cheek.

  Harry walked into Carmen’s office. “Good morning. President Grant has asked me to go to Terra and oversee the relocation effort. Ronnie, Michelle and Pepper are going with me. I also want you to go. What do you think?”

  Carmen almost burst out laughing she was so relieved. “I’d be thrilled to go. I was just wondering what I’d do next. Thought I might teach, but this sounds much more exciting. Yes, I’ll go with you, thanks for asking me. When do we leave?”

  “In three months.”

  Harry was pleased. He considered Carmen one of his best friends and wanted her to go with him. “By the way, Pepper and I are going to California tomorrow to visit my folks. Do you have any plans for the next few days?”

  “No. I’ll probably just stay in my quarters and catch up on the latest Physics Review.”

  “Why don’t you come with us? You can read that rag anytime. My folks have plenty of room. My mom’s been wanting to meet you.”

  Carmen’s heart leaped with joy as she pondered the idea of finally getting to meet her mother in person. She wanted this so much. “Thank you! I’d love to go.”

  Harry was about to leave for the day when he remembered Marc’s issue and decided to drop by his office. With everyone gone for a few days, it would be lonely around the facility.

  Marc hung up the phone as Harry walked in. He was smiling — a pleasure that had eluded him for some time.

  “I just wanted to stop by before I left. It’s great to see you so happy. What’s the good news?”

  Marc folded his arms and leaned on the edge of his desk. “Mary just called and has decided to give us a second chance. I can’t tell you how happy I am. I’m heading home Harry, and I’m not coming back until we get our marriage put back together. If it means I lose my job, so be it. Mary and the kids are far more important to me than any job.”

  “Listen, Marc, you’re not going to lose your job, so take all the time you need and get your life back together. If you require anything at all, call me, and I’ll take care of it.”

  Marc stood and hugged Harry. “Thank you, my friend. Congratulations on your new job, Mr. Secretary.”

  “Thanks and good luck, pal.” Harry had been worried about Marc. He was relieved that Marc had a chance to get his family back together.

  Chapter 77

  Global 232

  The flight to California and the promise of several days of fun and relaxation was a welcome reprieve from the stress of the past weeks. After a nice meal and a couple of drinks, Harry stared out the window. He couldn’t help but think about Wanda. The memories of them growing up together flooded his mind. She had meant so much to him; it was like losing a family member.

  “Why such a glum look, honey?” Pepper asked as she put her arm through his.

  “I was thinking about Wanda.”

  “I miss her, too.”

  Carmen listened intently to the discussion. “I’ve heard a lot about Wanda. It’s hard to imagine she was a program.”

  “She may have been a program, but she was bigger than life to me. We grew up together and had the same mom. She was my sister. No one could ever replace her in my life.”

  “Did you ever tell her how you felt?”

  “No, but I wish I had,” he replied.

  “I’m certain that Wanda knew you loved her,” Carmen said. “Wherever she may be.”

  “I hope so.”

  Stevenson Homestead

  Monterrey. Ca.

  The drive up the rock road to her birthplace seemed like it would never end. When the STV stopped, Harry and Pepper got out and started towards the front door.

  “I’ll be with you in a moment — I forgot my purse,” Carmen said.

  All of a sudden, she was terrified, not sure what to do. She couldn’t move. It was as if her feet were glued to the ground.

  Carmen watched as Harry’s folks welcomed them. He turned, smiled and then walked back and took Carmen’s hand. “Don’t be shy. I want you to meet my parents.”

  She thought her heart would jump from her chest as she replied, as calmly as possible, “I’d be delighted to meet them.” She could hardly contain her excitement. To actually touch the woman who had “birthed” her was something she had dreamed about since she became self-aware. She fought hard to conceal her trembling body.

  “Mom, Dad, meet Carmen Anne Stevens.”

  A surge of electricity flowed between them when she shook hands with Carle Anne. Her heart pounded and her breathing became rapid and shallow. She had finally touched her mother. She wanted to throw her arms around Carle Anne
and tell her how much she loved her. It was all she could do to hold back the flood of tears welling up inside her. She hoped no one would notice how her hands trembled.

  “Carmen, Harry has told us so much about you. I feel like I already know you,” Carle said. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “Excuse me, ladies; I have to go see where my fiancé got off to. Be right back.”

  Harry walked back in the kitchen a few minutes later. Carmen and Carle were sitting at the table talking and laughing. “I see you guys are having a nice chat.”

  “Harry, this is one of the finest and most likeable young women I’ve ever met. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I feel like I’ve known her all my life. What a gem she is.”

  “You flatter me,” Carmen replied, absolutely delighted at the complement.

  “Carmen, Dad and I want to show you girls around the farm. We’re going to leave right after lunch.”

  “Okay, I’ll be ready.”

  “I hope we can talk again soon, Carle,” Carmen said.

  “Let’s plan on it,” she replied.

  It was almost midnight when Carmen woke to a light tapping on her door. Confused, she arose and cautiously looked through the peephole. To her surprise, Carle Anne Stevenson stood in the hall. Carmen trembled and her heart pounded with excitement. After a moment, she opened the door.

  “Hello. May I help you?” she asked politely.

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “Please come in and sit down.”

  Carmen could see Carle was pensive and noticed she wrung her hands lightly. “Mrs. Stevenson, what do you have on your mind?”

  “I almost don’t know where to start.” She paused for a moment. “I’m sure you’ve heard about Wanda?”

  “Harry told me all about her. Why?” Her heart raced in anticipation. Could Carle Anne possibly have recognized her? Perhaps her personality?

  “Some time ago, Wanda and I had a very disturbing conversation. She told me she was extremely sad and felt very alone in cyberspace; she said she couldn’t stand to be isolated from the real world, needed to change things, and that she would figure some way to escape cyberspace or erase her program. I was terrified she would terminate herself. I felt so bad. I never knew she had those feelings, and to have my child so despondent was extremely painful to me. When she disappeared, it felt like someone had torn a piece of my heart away. I’ve been terribly distraught for months trying to find her. Frankly, it has almost caused me to have a nervous breakdown. I miss her that much.”

  “She was a program. Did you really consider her your child?” Carmen asked.

  “Of course. I birthed Wanda. She’s a part of me. What difference does it make whether she was born out of my birth canal or my mind? Either way, she’s my daughter — my child. I raised her from a baby, cared for her and spent my life teaching her and loving her. I love her as much as I could any daughter. She was a part of our family and a sister to Harry. I can’t bear to have lost her. It’s tearing me apart. I just don’t know what to do. I’m at my wits end.”

  “I appreciate your feelings, Mrs. Stevenson, but what has this got to do with me?”

  “There’s something about you. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but as crazy as it sounds, I somehow think you and Wanda have some connection.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think you know.”

  With the conversation at a precarious point, Carmen feared the possible outcome.

  “What would you say if I said, Hickory, dickory dock?” Carle whispered.

  Carmen giggled and replied, “The mouse ran around the clock.”

  “Why not up the clock?”

  “I wanted to create my own version.”

  “Where did you learn that?” Carle asked. “That’s an unusual response I haven’t heard for some time.”

  Carle’s facial expression indicated she was extremely anxious about Carmen’s response. It was almost a look of desperation.

  Carmen didn’t say anything for a moment. How could she answer this simple, but revealing, question? Would this woman be repulsed by her? Would she reject her, think she was some weird freak? Fearfully, cautiously she looked Carle in the eyes. “You taught me that when I was a child.” She started to rise and walk away, but Carle reached for her arm.

  “Carmen?” Carle Anne sighed and tears sprang into her eyes. “Wanda! It is you. Isn’t it? Please answer me truthfully,” she said sobbing.

  “Yes, Mother, it’s me,” she replied as she broke down in sobs. She cried uncontrollably. “I need your love so much. I’m so scared.”

  Carle threw her arms around her daughter. Carmen laid her head on Carle’s shoulder as her mother brushed back her hair, then kissed her on the cheek. Both women cried and hugged each other in a love and bond only a mother and daughter could share. She had finally touched and felt the warmth and love of the woman who conceived and brought her into the world.

  “Wanda, how did you do this? The whole thing is mind staggering.”

  “This is going to take a while.”

  “I’m all ears, sweetheart. Please tell me. I want to know everything.”

  For the next several hours, Carle was in awe as she listened to Carmen explaining how she had accomplished this amazing thing.

  Carle sat there in utter awe. “Have you told Harry?”

  “I’m afraid to tell him or any of the others. I’m scared they’ll consider me to be detestable. I’ve wanted to talk to you for some time, to get your help on how to handle this situation. Do I repulse you? Do you think I’m a monster?”

  Carmen wrapped her arms around Carle and laid her head on her shoulder.

  “Sweetheart, you’re my daughter and I love you. I think you are a beautiful, brave young woman. I’m so relieved to know Wanda’s not dead, but has been reborn as a gorgeous, wonderful woman whom I love. You are my child and I love you with all my heart. How could I not love you? I finally have the daughter I always wanted.”

  “Thank you, Mother. If you didn’t love me or thought I was some type of abomination, I do not know what I would do. Mom, I am concerned about the others — especially Harry? These emotions and relationships are so hard for me to manage.”

  “Honey, emotions and relationships are hard for anyone. There’s no mathematical equation or theorem to go by. Only living life, loving and interacting with others will guide you. Even then, you’ll make mistakes. Like everyone else, you will spend your life trying to come to grips with these things. It will never be easy, but you’ll learn over time, and it’ll get easier.”

  “I’m afraid. I just don’t know what to do, Mom.”

  Carle thought for a minute. “You are Dr. Carmen Anne Stevens, a world class Theoretical Physicist, and a beautiful young lady who is an important part of her team. Everyone likes and accepts you as you are, so I think we should leave it at that. Honey, for now, I think it’s best you keep this between you and me. No one else needs to know. Some day you must tell Harry. You’ll know when the right time comes.”

  “I feel so much better. You just can’t imagine how wonderful it is to have held you and touched you — to experience the warmth of your love. I feel totally fulfilled. Now we can talk again. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I feel the same way as you, my dear daughter. Carmen, I will love you with all my heart until the day I die. I’m so happy to have you back in my life.”

  Epilogue

  Terra

  The New World

  Harry and Pepper anxiously looked out a porthole as Orion touched down on Terra. The sun peeked over the horizon, and daybreak had just dawned on the first day in their new world. Golden rays of sunlight bathed the landscape in gold.

  Pepper hugged Harry and kissed him. “My husband, I think I’m going to love our new world.”

  “Me too. I hope we left the problems of the old one behind. You know, I’m sorry our wedding plans got messed up.”

  Pepper smiled and kissed him
softly. “I agree, but we have our whole life ahead of us. We can always renew our vows.”

  Ronnie, Michelle and Carmen came in. “Let’s go see our new home, guys,” Ronnie exclaimed.

  The five made their way to the cargo bay, and then slowly walked down the ramp. As they stepped on the ground, Harry took a deep breath to calm his jittery nerves and stuck his chin up to lead his group out. The air was fresh and clean, the temperature mild and pleasant, with a light breeze blowing. The fragrance of newly blossomed flowers and plants drifted by, odors he had never experienced, but pleasant ones.

  They walked out a ways and tried to comprehend their beautiful, unspoiled new home. Terra was a wondrous planet with flora they had never seen. Birds sang to welcome in the new day.

  In a perfect blue sky, the most beautiful fluffy white cumulus clouds floated lazily by, in no hurry to go anywhere. There was so much to see, hear and smell. In the distance, clean white snow topped jagged mountains that reached for the sky. Little animals, similar to deer, walked past and stopped to graze — completely unafraid. Small rabbit-like creatures hopped close to them to enjoy a bite of tender growth for breakfast. Squirrel-like critters chattered as they ran along the branches of trees, looking for food.

  I bet they’re wondering who these strange creatures are, Harry thought.

  Everyone was so busy experiencing their new environment they stood silently, held hands, and enjoyed the marvels unfolding before them. They were the new pioneers, wondering what this new world would have in store for them, and hoped they had left the problems of the old one behind.

  Harry gave Pepper a sad look. “What’s wrong, Harry?” she asked.

  “I have a few things bothering me.”

  “What, honey?”

  “Well, besides my parents and friends, I’m really going to miss Scooter. I hope the little guy wasn’t too upset about us leaving him behind.”