by Saxon Andrew
Jess’s excitement threatened to overcome him, “Do you have any records about them?”
“Please restate your question.”
“Alright listen, are you capable of following my orders?”
“I am.”
“In the future, if I ask a question and use the term ‘you’, I am communicating with the computer and YOU will answer my question.”
“Order acknowledged.”
“No.”
“You don’t know anything about those captured?”
“Only where they were taken to be studied.”
Jess thought for a moment about that piece of information and then remembered, “You didn’t tell me why the former occupant was looking for the Denver Mint.”
“He wanted to determine if there were enough rare metals there to justify removing them before the planet is destroyed.”
“WHAT!?!”
Chapter Three
“He wanted to determine if there were enough rare metals there to justify removing them before the planet is destroyed.”
“When is that going to happen?”
“It’s been delayed…eighteen of your years while various members removed valuable items. It is scheduled for destruction as soon as my former occupant completes his investigation.”
“What’s going to happen if he doesn’t contact anyone?”
“The standard procedure is to follow up with an investigation after three days, if he fails to report in.”
Jess thought furiously, “Are they able to contact you?”
“They are.”
“You will not answer them if they try; is that clear?”
“Order acknowledged.”
“Is there any way to stop my planet’s destruction?”
“I am scheduled to destroy the planet when my former occupant completes his visit. If you order me not to do it, I will comply.”
“You will not destroy my planet!”
“Order acknowledged.”
Jess thought for a moment, “Are you capable of destroying a planet?”
“I am.”
“If you don’t do it, will someone else do it instead?”
“There is a high level of certainty that it will be done within the next week.”
“Why?”
“Any civilization that develops nuclear weapons and actually possesses the stupidity to use them will be watched for fifty years. If the civilization continues to keep the weapons and does not turn from war, it will be destroyed as a danger to the peaceful civilizations that live in harmony.”
Jess shook his head, “It’s been sixty eight years since a nuclear bomb was dropped on Japan.”
“There have been delays in order for valuable resources to be removed. Most of the members have now notified the Governing Representatives that they have completed their interest in what remains on your planet. Gresam was the last citizen to express an interest in the rare metals located in the Denver Mint. Since your civilization has not developed space travel, you do not represent a danger to the community yet; so the delays were acceptable.”
“What about the ones taken from here to study?”
“Once the planet is destroyed, they will be removed.”
“What!?!”
“Inhabitants that are taken for study may not be killed unless the planet they were taken from is slated for destruction. It could be that the planet turns to peace and they would be returned to their world. However, if their planet does not turn from nuclear weapons, they will be executed as a dangerous life form once the planet is destroyed.”
“Are any of them ever returned before that decision is made?”
“Some of the members are not wealthy enough to house the ones taken so they will often return them.”
“Don’t they worry they will inform their planet of the danger?”
“Our studies have shown that no one ever believes them.”
Jess shook his head, the machine was right. No one did. He knew one thing. This computer knew where his family was taken. They were going to be executed if he didn’t free them in less than a week. “Can you take me to where the ones taken from here are being kept?”
“I can.”
“Are you capable of changing the force field around you so that it won’t kill everything that touches it?”
“I can but that will increase the possibility of detection.”
“I won’t be gone that long. You will open the port and a space where I can exit the field.”
“Order acknowledged.”
Jess exited the ship and ran to his cave and changed clothes. He used a jar of lotion to remove the camouflage paint and quickly cleaned the P-40. He slipped the gun and holster into his belt and pulled his shirt over it. He picked up the cell phone and decided he would not call Mike. He couldn’t stop the destruction of Earth but he could try to save his family. That is what he had sworn to do and he wasn’t going to ignore that promise. He left the cave running and arrived at the road thirty minutes later. He only had two days before trouble arrived and he had a lot to get done. It took an hour for an eighteen wheel truck to stop and give him a ride into Phoenix. He arrived an hour after daybreak and he waited outside the gun store. Two hours later he had twenty five hundred dollars in cash and he immediately rented a U-Haul truck.
He didn’t want to do it but he dialed the number he had committed to memory two years earlier. It rang five times and he decided that if it wasn’t answered, he had kept his promise. “Hello.”
“Elle.”
“Yes.”
“This is Jess.” Silence greeted him and he quickly said, “I made a promise and I’m keeping it. I’ve found the one that took my family. They’ve been taken to another planet.”
“How did you find out?”
“The alien that did it was killed in the desert last night by a band of bandits and I’ve managed to take control of his ship. I’m leaving to get my family.”
“I’m going with you.”
“Oh no you aren’t!”
“Don’t’ hang up!! Please don’t hang up!!!”
Jess moved his finger from the end call button and listened as Elle said, “If our roles were reversed, what would you want me to do?” Jess remained silent. “WHAT WOULD YOU WANT ME TO DO!?!”
“That’s not a fair question, Elle.”
“It’s the fairest question I could ever ask. If I left you behind, what would your life be like?”
Jess blew out a breath. “I guess I’m shocked you even believe me.”
“One part of me is screaming you’re absolutely insane. But another part says that if you aren’t, I will never live in peace. Hell, I don’t live in peace anyway. You have to take me with you. You owe me that much.”
“Elle, I kept my promise. I don’t owe you any more than that.”
“You owe me the opportunity to quit living this nightmare. I know you live it as well. You can’t leave me. Where are you?”
Jess sighed and knew he would be going insane if their roles were reversed. He knew he wasn’t taking her because of the possible danger she would be in; heck, the planet was going to be destroyed and her along with it. He decided that he had lived alone so long that the thought of sharing space with anyone else was frightening. That wasn’t a good reason to not take her. He sighed, “I’ve sold a gun and I’m buying enough food to last for a long time. I’ve rented a U-Haul and I’m transporting it to the ship.”
“How much longer is it going to take you to finish?”
“Elle, I just don’t know if this is the right thing to do.”
“Jess, I’ve been studying the universe and the cosmos. I’m recognized as the smartest student in the physics and physical sciences departments. I can help you if you’re leaving the planet.”
Jess smiled, “Now you’re reaching, Elle.”
“Please, Jess! Don’t leave me behind!”
“How long will it take you to get here from Tucson?”
“An hour and forty five m
inutes.”
Jess took a deep breath, “Alright, take I-10 out of Phoenix until you reach US 60 East. Stay on US 60 to Ellsworth Road. Pull off there and wait for me to arrive with a U-Haul. What vehicle will you be in?”
“I won’t be in a vehicle. My roommate will drive me there and drop me off.” Jess now knew he was committed to taking her. He couldn’t leave her alone on that road. “Make sure you have enough water to keep you hydrated. I won’t arrive until late this afternoon.”
“Jess.”
“Yes, Elle.”
“Is what you’re telling me true?”
“It is.”
“I’ll be there around three. I’ll wait and avoid the long exposure in the sun.”
“You better bring some clean clothes and anything else you might need for an extended trip. You won’t have anywhere to get something you might forget.”
“Do you want me to pick up medical supplies?”
Jess was started, “That would be a good idea. Thanks for thinking of it.”
“I’ll also pick up two air mattresses.”
Jess shook his head, “Do what you think needs doing, Elle. I can use all the help you can give me.”
The phone went dark and Jess shook his head. In her own way, Elle had thought about making this trip just as much as he did. He often dreamed of having a ship to go out after his family and as a child he often thought about what he’d need to take with him. It was obvious she shared that dream. He put the phone away and pulled into the grocery store’s parking lot. He had a lot of work ahead of him. In the end it took a fork lift to move all the groceries to the U-Haul. Jess knew it was going to take time to get them unloaded and hoped he could do it. He started thinking that it was a good thing Elle was going to be there to help.
• • •
Jess drove the U-Haul to the rendezvous location to meet Elle and found her waiting with another U-Haul . He pulled up beside her and she smiled, “I decided we would need more than just one truck could hold.”
Jess shook his head, “Follow me and stay in my tracks when we go into the desert.” Elle nodded as Jess accelerated toward the desert. He knew it was going to be close getting everything moved on board the ship. It was day two and time was growing short.
They arrived at the two boulders and Jess stopped and went back to Elle’s truck, “If either one of us stop, we’ll never get the truck moving again. I’ll lead the way and you give me about a hundred yards lead and follow directly in my tracks. Do not slow down!”
“I’ve driven a four wheel drive jeep at the beach.”
“Elle, these trucks are not four wheel drive and we’re going to have to run through some large cacti. Move steady and try not to spin the tires.” Elle nodded and Jess went back into the U-Haul’s cab. He had rented a dually and he hoped for the best. The trails had been packed somewhat by continuous use but he knew if he had to move off the trail, he was probably going to lose traction. He accelerated between the boulders and kept the drive wheels on the path. Fortunately, there weren’t any giant saguaro on the route but there were some small sized ones that could cause problems. “Just two miles; please let me make two miles.”
Elle watched Jess and when he was a hundred yards into the desert she accelerated into the sand and kept the truck in his tracks. It was late and the sun wasn’t far from the horizon and she hoped they didn’t have far to go. Doing this at night was going to be impossible.
There were several tense moments but somehow they made it to the depression and then the going got easier. Jess pulled up close to the force field and exited the truck. Elle jumped out and jogged up to him. She looked around and felt a sinking feeling; there was no spaceship. She looked at him and saw him hold his arm to his chest. “What are you doing?”
Suddenly, the force field disappeared and the spaceship appeared, “I’m lowering the force field so we can get close to the ship.” Elle’s mouth was open and she stared at the ship. “You were being honest.”
“If you had any doubts, why did you come?”
Elle looked at Jess, “It’s like faith.”
“Huh?”
“Believing without evidence; I have faith in you.”
Jess ran over to the ship and placed the helmet on his head, “Leave the force field active overhead.” Jess looked up and saw the sky darken slightly. “Computer, is there a door on the ship’s hull where supplies can be loaded on board?”
A large portal appeared on the side of the vessel, “I’ve opened the storage bay’s door.”
“Computer, if anything happens that is different than the current situation; I want you to tell me.”
There was a long pause and then Jess heard, “That would require telling you thousands of differences.”
Jess thought for a moment and said, “Have the ones coming to investigate the former occupant’s failure to communicate started here?”
“Not at this moment.”
“If anything changes about them, you will notify me immediately.”
“They are questioning why he has not communicated.”
“Can you hear their communications?”
“Yes.”
“Transmit them directly to my helmet and interpret them in my language.”
“Order acknowledged.”
“One more thing, is there any mechanism on the ship that would help unloading supplies into the bay?”
“The ship is capable of reducing the weight of the items you’re unloading.”
Elle looked at Jess, “Who are you talking to?”
Jess waved his hand at her, “I’m backing the first truck up to the door; is there a ramp I can use?”
“I will extend it when you stop.”
Jess looked at Elle, “I’m talking with the ship’s computer. We need to get the trucks unloaded pronto, the alien is being missed.” Jess ran to the back of the larger U-Haul and opened the rear door. He backed the truck up to the open portal and stopped a foot from the ship’s hull. A ramp moved out of the ship and stopped on the edge of the truck’s bed. Jess yelled, “Come on, we need to get moving.” Jess stepped on the truck’s bumper and jumped on the ramp. He offered Elle a hand and pulled her off the ground to the ramp. Elle was amazed at how easily he lifted her. Jess had to be incredibly strong. There was a large pallet stacked to the roof of the body with water bottles. Jess lifted it with one hand and backed into the ship’s hull. He came out and saw Elle staring at him with fear on her face. He wondered what was going on and then knew, “The ship has reduced the weight of the supplies. I’m not an alien, Elle. Grab the next pallet and get it on board.”
Elle walked over to another pallet of water and gripped it with two hands. She lifted it and had to slow down to stop from hitting the roof of the truck’s body. It didn’t weigh more than several pounds. She turned sideways and moved it into the ship. Jess passed her and went after another pallet.
• • •
Mike was worried about Jess. He had tried to call him on the cell phone he had given Jess and no one answered. He made a decision. He walked over to a closet and pulled out an aerial map of the park. He located the depression Jess had described and he took out two yard sticks. He marked the center of it and wrote down the latitude and longitude. He dialed a number in his cell phone and immediately heard, “Captain Tyler.”
“John, this is Mike Sanders.”
“Why you old dog; where have you been hiding? You retire and forget all of your buddies.”
“I was told to not contact any of you.”
“They were just mad you left. That’s still not a good reason to do what they said; you never did before.”
“It sorta makes me wonder why they were angry I retired.”
“You always found the image, Mike. That sort of skill is hard to replace. Why are you calling now?”
“Are you in the tank?”
“I am.” There was a moment of silence and John said, “What’s going on, Mike?”
“Do you have a free camera
on the red bird?”
“Hold on.” A few moments later, John said, “I actually have two.”
“I’m going to give you a map coordinate and I was wondering if you would take a look at what’s going on.”
“What would I expect to find, Mike?”
“I really rather not say; probably nothing. However, I have a friend that I’m worried about and I believe he’s close to that location. Would you take a look at it and let me know what you see.”
“I’ll take a look. Is this number on my phone good to reach you?”
“It is.”
“I’ll call you either way. It’s good to hear from you.” John went to his control board and started pressing buttons. One of the cameras on a geostationary military satellite began moving and locked in on the coordinates Mike had given John. He moved the wheel on the panel and the view changed rapidly as the ground seemed to rush at the camera. He stared at the image and saw what appeared to be an orange and white square bodied truck. He brought the view in closer still and recognized the paint scheme of a U-Haul truck. What was a rental truck doing out in the desert?
He leaned back and stared at the truck and didn’t see anyone near it. He backed the view out and went to infrared and didn’t see anything human sized in the depression. The truck was warm but the hood was only slightly warmer than the rest of the truck, so the engine wasn’t running. That meant the air conditioning wasn’t being used. The truck had to be unoccupied; no one would sit in the cab of a truck in the desert without AC. He went back to normal view and suddenly, another U-Haul truck drove out of nowhere and was parked twenty feet from the first truck he saw. He watched someone exit the second truck and he brought the view in close and saw a young man running to the first truck. He jumped in the cab, turned it to the right, and started backing up. It immediately disappeared.
John sat up straight in his chair and pressed a button, “Colonel, I need you here now!”
Col. Jameson ran in the door to the small room, “What’s going on!”
“I want you to look at what I just recorded.” John replayed the tape and Jameson’s eyebrows went together. “Where did it go?”
