Mother Nature took down his home, but his anger drove him to believe the ship caused all his misery. The fictional miniature spaceship from another planet. He talked to anyone that would listen of evil aliens and shrink rays. Quickly word spread that Jack Smith had gone mad, and his bold accusations were summarily ignored.
Malcolm was sullen and went off to be by himself. His plans of a cushy job making a lot of money were now out of the question, and the grandiose promises made by Jack Smith would go unfulfilled. He worried that if the guy he shot pressed charges, he would go to jail. His present plan, if possible, was to get off the island and find somewhere to hide. After seeing the reaction from Jack’s rantings, he decided to keep quiet about what he witnessed. He did not want to accompany Jack Smith to the funny farm.
A helicopter arrived and slowly circled the island. The sound of the blades beating the air replaced the whisper of the wind over the devastated landscape. A side cargo door opened, and a man strapped inside looked down to assess the damage and look for survivors. When he spotted the group of people waving and looking up expectantly, the man called the mainland for additional assistance.
Numerous people pitched in to clear a place for the rescue ship to land and then stood back while it settled down. The rescue team climbed down from the aircraft and immediately began to administer aid and take on passengers. Without a valid reason to stay, the survivors were anxious to leave. There was nothing left to guard, or clean, or cook. The garden would no longer need tending. Overnight their lives were redirected, and they all became unemployed.
Steven and Michael wanted to see this incredible odyssey to the end, so they stayed below until they were alone with the three friends of the ship. When the last person entered the escape pipe and started to the surface, they helped Jim into the main room. Claire went into the office and opened the bookcase for Vincent. The ship turned off the cloak that rendered him invisible and left the pedestal to join the humans.
“We must first get James Thompson on-board. Then I can minimize the rest of you so you can join him. We’ll leave by way of the river and stay underwater until we can exit unobserved.”
Steven held up his hands, “Not me. I have to help my team find another job. I can’t just abandon them.”
Jim asked, “Are you sure? We can drop you off wherever you want.”
“Oh no. I am perfectly happy the way I am. You folks go ahead, and I’ll ride with one of the rescue choppers.”
Michael spoke up and seconded the notion. “Steven has offered me a job on his team. He says they can use a good medic.”
Jim did not understand and said so. “You guys don’t know what you’re missing. Vincent is offering us the chance of a lifetime!”
Steven smiled and explained, “I am a soldier, Jim, as I’m sure Michael is. There is work here that needs doing, and we will have no problem finding an assignment. You guys are the adventurers. You go out and discover—we’ll stay here where it’s safe.”
It was Claire’s turn to smile. “The work you guys do is safe?” she asked.
Both men grinned and nodded. “For the most part,” amended Steven.
The two unlikely converts watched in amazement as the ship minimized Jim and Claire. Adar was happy to wait, still uncomfortable with the process. A little Claire climbed the ladder and disappeared inside the ship. Vincent took to the air and floated over Jim, and lowered a bed attached to a thin golden tinted arm to the ground. While Jim climbed on, the ship addressed the two men that helped when help was needed. “I want to thank you two again. Without either of you, I fear we might have failed. You should be proud. You played a part in saving your world.”
Steven said, “Glad to help.”
Michael acted embarrassed.
Once Jim was safely inside the ship, Vincent settled to the floor a final time, and it was Adar’s turn to enter the ship. As usual, he tensed and kept his eyes closed tight during the transformation. When he found himself whole, unharmed, and small, he waved to the two giants towering above him and boarded the craft.
Michael opened the door leading to the cavern and Vincent—with three crewmembers aboard—left the bunker to slip into the water and disappear down the dark tunnel.
Steven and Michael watched until there was nothing to see. Michael’s new boss turned to him and made an observation. “If you tell anyone, they’ll think you’ve gone nuts.”
Michael sighed and said, “I don’t believe I’ll be telling anyone. If I weren't here, I wouldn’t believe it either.”
****
Vincent followed the seabed for a half mile and then surfaced, energized the cloak, and gained altitude. At one thousand feet, he stopped and hovered in place. Adar was rooted to Jim’s chair with his eyes pointed at the deck, averting his gaze from the view screen displaying their progress. Claire sat in her chair watching the screens with wonder.
The bed that brought Jim up to the ship placed him in a small room with equipment that appeared to have a medical purpose. A passageway opened to the bridge, and Claire joined him, followed closely by Adar.
“The bed is part of a medical recovery unit,” explained the ship. “The system has already determined there is no permanent damage and the administrations of the system will allow the wound to heal faster than normal. It will not be necessary to take James Thompson to a medical facility.”
“How come you didn’t mention that you could help him earlier?” asked Claire.
“Until it was possible to bring him on-board, I saw no reason to mention the capability. To bring him aboard during the crisis would have exposed me and our mission; creating unnecessary difficulties. Should I have informed you?”
“Yes. You should have,” said Claire. “You could have saved me a lot of worrying.”
The background hum that accompanied the ship’s voice when a paradox is detected became noticeable, and Vincent said, “I apologize. I will keep you better informed in the future.”
Jim laughed at the serious tone, and reminded Claire, “I told you I’d be fine—didn’t I?” He propped himself on an elbow and continued, “Let’s not be concerned about me. When are you leaving, Vincent? I’m sure you’re anxious to get home.”
“There are questions that require clarification,” replied Vincent. “Would you like to accompany me? It is necessary to ascertain your considerations for the immediate future.”
Claire understood the question. Still, considering all they had been through, she could not resist a little humor. Her face appeared puzzled, and she asked Jim, “What did he say?”
Jim laughed until it hurt, which was right away. He grimaced, directed his gaze to the two people in the doorway, and said, “I think he wants to know what we want.”
Vincent further explained the question. “You may stay here, and I will deliver you to a location of your choosing, or you can accompany me to my planet and be the first representatives from your world to visit mine. The journey will take fifty-eight of your days at near light speed—barring stops or unforeseen complications—and can be tedious for biological beings. If you wish, I can return you to Earth in a year. I leave the decision to you.”
Adar had avoided looking at a view screen since he came onboard, which he was sure was the only reason he was not cowering on the floor. His other problems helped distract him from obsessing over his fear of heights. He was without a country or a home, and he was without work. What he had with him was all he owned. Regardless, he had no intention of leaving earth. Adar preferred comfort and calm over adversity. “I will stay here on Earth. I am an old man, and I do not thirst for adventure. I will find another job somewhere and begin again—as I have done before. If possible, I would like to be dropped off somewhere I can make a good life. Perhaps another island?”
Jim had an idea. “I know someone that could use some help. He is the head of a foundation for military veterans. You could work with him instead of for him, and for a good cause.”
Adar shook his head and said, “I do no
t have papers. Without documentation, I will always be an illegal alien. They will catch me, and they will deport me back to Syria. I could not bear that.”
Adar’s confession was not unexpected by Jim or Claire. Many refugees escaping troubled countries faced the same problem. It was an issue the entire world was attempting to rectify. Fortunately, in this case, there was a solution. A slow grin grew on Jim’s face, and he volunteered, “Vincent can fix that—right, Vincent?”
“I can provide the necessary documents and add your name to the appropriate databases. With Claire Haversham’s assistance, the process will be a simple matter.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll introduce you to Juan, and he’ll help you get settled. I’ll bet he’ll be happy to find a place for a professional gardener. What about you, Claire? Are you going with Vincent?”
She appeared unsure and directed her reply to Jim. “I’d like to—if you are. I think going by myself wouldn’t be as fun.”
Jim’s response was immediate, “Are you kidding me? I have read science fiction books and dreamed about traveling in space all my life. If you’re with me to share it, all my dreams have come true.”
Claire liked his answer. It was the answer she hoped for. She quickly regained her composure and said, “I don’t have a lot holding me here. I will need to pick up a few things from my house and make some arrangements, and then I’ll be ready to go.”
Jim said, “I’ll get Adar and Juan together and then let my brother and my kids know I’ll be out of the country for a while. If I told them I was going to another planet, they would have me admitted to a place where they have padded rooms. Don’t forget, Vincent; you promised us a close-up of the moon.”
Vincent’s usual monotone took on an unusual air of pleasure when he said, “Excellent. I wish to record the aftermath of the storm we survived for the record and then we will get underway. Please make yourselves comfortable. If you like, I can furnish refreshments.”
The ship made one pass over the island at two hundred feet, and the bird’s eye view exposed the scope of the disaster. The sight reinforced their belief that no one would have lived if not for the bunker. They flew over the rescue efforts and the idling choppers taking on passengers. The evacuation had begun in earnest.
They approached the far end of the atoll, and Vincent was preparing to climb to cruising altitude when he heard a faint beeping. This development caused the ship to come to an abrupt halt.
“I am receiving a locator beacon from the surveillance drone. It is weak. However, I believe we can determine its location.”
“Max is alive?” asked Claire.
“The state of the device is unknown. I only know it is capable of sending a signal and has the power to facilitate the function.”
Claire turned to Jim and repeated, “Max is alive!”
“Yes Claire,” said Jim. “It looks like he is.”
They circled back and followed the beep to its source, and at the top of a mound of trash, they found the autonomous bug. Max had taken shelter in an empty metal file box and fastened himself to an inside wall. When they found him, he had one wing outside the crumpled box drawing power from the sun for his distress call. Vincent used his extendable arm to pluck the mechanical fly from the pile and bring it aboard. A quick inspection determined the craft was repairable.
Jim pointed out. “That means we accomplished the mission without a single casualty. You should be proud of yourself, Vincent.”
“It is good that we were able to retrieve the device. There is a chance, although slight, it might have been found, and the technology behind its creation exposed. It is favorable that humans do not discover alien technology on their planet.”
The low hum of the engines changed pitch and became more aggressive. The view screens depicted the movement of flight as Vincent gained altitude and headed towards the United States and the City of Saint Louis; at speeds only attributed to Unidentified Flying Objects.
Adar avoided the view. Claire marveled at it, and Jim found the whole situation too good to be true. As far as he is concerned—he won a cosmic lottery.
****
Early in the afternoon, Jim limped into Juan’s homeless shelter with a minimum of assistance from Adar. He noticed right away there were new blankets and bedding for each of the beds that filled the large main room. The smell of food cooking in the kitchen permeated the building, and the entire shelter appeared clean and orderly. They could see Juan Parson in a new office located in the rear through a wall of twelve-inch panes of spotless glass.
Juan looked up from his desk and noticed the new visitors approaching. When he realized who it was, he jumped up and ran out to greet them. “Welcome back Jim! I was wondering what happened to you. Why are you limping?”
Jim smiled and shook his friend’s hand. “That is a long story which I am afraid I don’t have time for.” He stepped to the side and introduced his companion. “Juan Parson meet Adar Malik. He needs a place to stay and a job. Can you find a place for an accomplished gardener?”
Juan held out his hand without hesitation, and Adar accepted it. While they shook hands, Juan said, “Any friend of Jim’s is a friend of mine. I have been making plans for a garden in the vacant lot behind the shelter, and I can always use more help around here. If Jim vouches for you, it is good enough for me.”
The social worker Jim and Vincent elected to establish the homeless foundation was dressed in a suit while Jim and Adar were casual in jeans and sport shirts.
“Juan, what’s with the suit?” asked Jim.
“I have a meeting with the mayor this afternoon. We will be discussing the veteran’s village I am hoping to set up. The city has allocated a parcel of land, and I would like to fill it with tiny homes. I think the mayor is interested, especially since the foundation will be paying for the lion’s share of the cost. As you have taught me—money talks.”
“Is everything going okay? Do you have enough money?”
Juan was not sure how much Jim had divulged about their silent partnership to Adar, so he kept his reply simple and direct. “I invested a substantial sum and am operating out of the rest. If I am careful with the projects, there is enough to last for years.”
“Good—because I will be unavailable for a while longer. You can count on Adar here to help wherever possible. He has proven to be quite capable and trustworthy.” After a short pause, he grinned and added, “I believe leaving the two of you in charge of the homeless in Saint Louis will be a great asset to the city.”
“What do you want me to do with your pick-up truck? It is in the back. When I learned it was in the city impound lot, I took the liberty of paying the fine and retrieving it for you.”
The truck he bought new, and there were some pleasant memories associated with the vehicle he drove for years. Unfortunately, the year he spent using it as a mobile home tainted his attachment. “Can you use it? I have no use for it now.”
His response pleased Juan. “Why certainly. We will make good use of it.”
Jim laid his hand on Adar’s shoulder and declared, “Adar can sign my name to the title—with my permission.”
Adar did not know if what Jim suggested was legal, so he simply smiled, raised his eyebrows, and shrugged.
They talked for a while, and then reluctantly said their goodbyes. Jim was on a tight schedule and hated to leave so soon, but he was in a hurry.
Juan and Adar stood side-by-side and watched as Jim walked away. Juan commented, “He is a good man, except he always seems to be in a hurry. He should slow down and enjoy life more.”
Adar smiled at the notion and thought of the long journey before Jim. “Trust me, Mister Parson,—I believe he will.”
****
Vincent picked Jim up in a narrow alley around the corner. The process was as surreal this time as it was the first. Earlier, they dropped Claire off to tend to her business while Jim took care of his.
His brother invited Jim’s kids over to his house, and they spe
nt an hour catching up. Jim wanted to let them know he was okay. Initially, they were confused by the sudden change of events and expressed concern. He told them, “Don’t worry. I’ve always wanted to take a trip somewhere exotic, and this is my chance to make it happen.”
They were thrilled by his attitude, impressed by his appearance, and excited about his planned trip to Europe. His brother asked where he got the money for a year-long trip, to which Jim said, “I have a friend who wants to share the cost and the experience.”
“You have a girlfriend?” asked the kids in unison.
He smiled. “I guess my secret is out.”
“What about your stuff?” asked his brother, “I can’t store it forever.”
Jim walked back to where the boxes were stored and removed one small framed picture. A photo of his family during happier times. It was the only item he cared to keep. “Sell the rest, give it away, or trash it. There is nothing here I need.”
He faked the need to catch a bus and left in a hurry, with hugs all around. They did not see the tears as he walked away.
When they returned to pick Claire up, she used her handy badge to ask that they meet in the clearing of the vacant lot behind her house. “There are neighbors outside just looking for things to talk about. It’s safer to meet at the lot.”
She arrived lugging a big suitcase, and Jim failed to stifle his laugh. After helping her to muscle the baggage inside the ship, he asked, “What’s with the suitcase? Vincent can provide you with whatever you need.”
Claire shook her head and gave him a sad smile. “There are memories in there and my favorite clothes—things Vincent cannot reproduce.”
The look he received told him the matter was closed. If he hadn’t learned anything in his twenty-five years of marriage, he knew when to quit. She then surprised him with a huge smile and ran over to sit in her chair. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get moving. We have places to go and people to meet. Vincent, are you ready?”
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