Jenny In Space: Chasing The Killer Comet

by Michael Coles

Chapter 17

  Another Prophesy Beginning to Take Shape

  Jenny and Born ran into the yard and walked up the front steps of Jenny's home.

  "So, what do you think? Do you want to meet my family, or do you want them to stay out of sight for awhile?" Jenny asked her honored guest.

  "Maybe we could just wait a short time before I meet everyone. I'd just like to relax for awhile," Born answered.

  "Done! I already told everybody to stay out of sight unless I go and fetch them," Jenny promised.

  She opened the front door of her house and invited Born in. He looked rather uncomfortable about the situation, but stepped into Jenny's home and looked around at the spacious interior.

  "It is very beautiful," Born complimented, as he studied the furnishings and the pictures on the walls. "Yes, this is a very nice, roomy living quarters, Jenny. You are very lucky to live in such luxury."

  "And, very lucky to still have it. Thanks to you and Obos." Jenny led Born upstairs and down a long wide hallway, past several doors leading to different rooms, some open, some closed.

  "This is my room," Jenny said, as they came upon a well-used door, with some old stickers and tape marks on it. Born looked around at the cozy looking room. The light- blue color theme caught his eye as he scanned the books and the furniture, and a shelf around the entire perimeter of the room, filled with plush animals of every color.

  "Very comfortable looking," complimented Born.

  "Thanks. This way to the bathroom," Jenny motioned.

  She led Born in, and pointed out the amenities.

  "This is the sink, for quick wash-ups and brushing teeth. And this is the tub, where you can soak or have a shower."

  "It's incredible! The entire room is dedicated to water."

  "Yeah, I guess it is. I'd never thought of it that way before," Jenny admitted. She felt more respect and reverence for a room she had always taken for granted.

  Jenny noticed Born looking curiously at the toilet. He bent down to get a close look at the water inside of the bowl. Jenny reached over and pushed down the flush lever.

  "Oh, my goodness! What is this device for? Washing your feet?" Born asked, and Jenny burst out laughing.

  "No, you sit on the seat," Jenny said.

  "You sit on the seat? What on world for?" Born asked.

  Jenny didn't answer, but looked at Born intently, hoping he would figure it out so she wouldn't have to explain it.

  "Oh, yes, I see," Born said, finally realizing. "Water even for that?"

  "Yep," Jenny said.

  "It certainly is impressive," Born said as he looked around at the gleaming dark blue tile, and the matching sink with its shining chrome.

  "Relli has left some towels there for you," Jenny said, and she knelt down to turn on the water. "This is hot, and this is cold." She demonstrated as she began to fill up the tub.

  "You can control the temperature of the water to your preference by turning these taps. But make sure you turn them off before it gets too high, so the water doesn't overflow. Will you be okay once you take off the gravity suit?"

  "Yes, I should be fine," Born replied.

  Jenny filled up a glass from the sink faucet and placed it on the edge of the bathtub.

  "Here's a glass of cool water for you to sip on while you're bathing."

  "Just yell if you need anything or need help. I'll be listening for you. Take your time, and enjoy."

  "I will," Born said, eagerly looking at the tub.

  Jenny left Born and closed the door behind her. She noticed that Martin's bedroom door down the hall was now open, and his light was on. It had been all Martin could do not to come out of his room until beckoned, but he had managed to keep his promise.

  Jenny thought of a funny trick she could pull on her brother and she crept quietly towards his room. She pulled out the control module of the gravity suit and turned the dial until she was weightless. Jenny floated off the floor and she arranged herself into a lying position.

  "Martin, can you come here for a sec please?" she called.

  Martin jumped off his bed, where he lay flipping through a hot car magazine, and made his way quickly to the door of his bedroom. He poked his head out of the door just as Jenny was floating by, looking very relaxed indeed, with a little smirk on her face.

  "What the!" he exclaimed.

  Jenny broke out laughing at Martin's shocked expression. "Cool, huh?"

  "Amazing, and to think I was making fun of that suit," Martin said in wonder.

  Jenny continued to drift down the hallway with Martin following close behind. She grabbed a doorframe on her way by and pulled herself into the room beyond.

  "What does it feel like to be totally weightless?" Martin asked.

  "It feels incredible. Moving around is so easy, my body feels unbelievably strong without any gravity constantly pulling me down."

  She began to demonstrate some of the amazing feats that she was now capable of performing. She bounced from wall to wall, and floor to ceiling, sometimes pushing with her hands, and sometimes with her feet. Martin's face lit up. She was rebounding about the room like a human pinball.

  "I have to be careful in a small area like this. If I push off too hard, I can go out of control. As long as I don't push off too fast, and get used to the size of the room before I try anything fancy, I'm okay."

  She tried to do a flip but miscalculated and kind of crashed into the ceiling.

  Martin chuckled.

  "See what I mean," Jenny said smiling. She pushed herself with her hands toward a wall, and then lightly sprang towards the floor, where she landed on all fours, and then pulled herself along the floor with her hands while her body hovered above it.

  "It's like swimming, only the water is now air, and it has very little resistance compared to water," Jenny explained.

  She turned the dial on the controller in order to provide some gravity.

  "Gravity does definitely have its place though. It keeps everything in position," she said, as she lightly jumped about the room. She hopped over the back of a small couch, and landed slowly and softly into the plump cushions.

  "Cool. Can I try it out?" Martin asked.

  "I don't know, Martin. We would have to ask Born if it was okay," Jenny said, and Martin let it go.

  "I'd better see if Born is all right," Jenny mentioned.

  "How's it going in there, Born?" Jenny asked.

  "Glorious," he answered.

  "Are you up to meeting my family later?" Jenny asked hopefully.

  "Yes, I will meet your family," Born announced. "Just give me some more time to relax."

  "Yes!" Jenny said to herself as she pumped her fist. "That's great. I'll get them to wait in the rec room for us. I'll come back and check on you later," she said, and she bolted off to prepare her family.

  "Is he okay?" Martin asked.

  "Yeah, he's fine. Can you come down to the rec room and wait with Dad and Relli please. I'll bring Born down to meet you all as soon as he's done."

  "Yeah, sure. This is going to be strange, meeting an alien. This whole thing is totally weird. I still have a hard time accepting all of this is really happening," Martin admitted.

  "Yeah, I know what you mean," Jenny agreed as she led the way downstairs.

  .

  Ah, this is the life, Born thought, as he lay comfortably in the warm water while sipping from the glass. He reminisced about the last several days, and thought about how this thirteen-year-old human had changed his life for the better. He knew he would miss her if she could not accompany him back to Soilanglobe.

  Jenny's exuberance, and joy of life, had made him feel like a young sixty-year-old Soilan again. He also thought about how he would have to travel to the planet Spacemark Four to get the necessary repairs on the Traveler, before he could begin his long journey home.

  Born didn't like going to Spacemark Four, the land of the giants as he referred to it. He felt so small and vulnerable there. Born thought about how lucky he w
as to be alive, and he almost wished he could stay with Jenny and her family, and enjoy an abundance of water every day, but he knew he must go home. His people were in need of the water on board the Traveler.

  .

  "Born said he's up to meeting you guys," Jenny said excitedly. "Just remember, even though he's an alien, he's just like you and me," she said, and turned to go back upstairs.

  "Everything is set Born, but take your time. I'll be next door in my bedroom if you need help," she called through the closed bathroom door.

  "Okay, I'll be out in a few minutes," Born called back. He finished his bath and struggled out of the tub. He was quite relieved to finally his suit back on.

  "Ah, that's better," he sighed, feeling a little tired and sleepy after the exertion and warm bath. He opened the bathroom door and peeked out, then walked down the hall and into Jenny's bedroom. He found her lying on her bed reading a book.

  "Feel better?" asked Jenny.

  "Yes, thank you. It was a splendid experience," Born said.

  "Are you ready to meet everyone?"

  "Yes, I think so," Born said reluctantly.

  "Don't worry, they're nice people," Jenny said, as she hopped off her bed. They went downstairs and found Jenny's family watching the news on TV.

  "Oh, hello Born, it's nice to see you again," Jenny's father greeted.

  "Hello Mr. Thompson," Born responded.

  "Please call me, Roy."

  Born nodded.

  Jenny finished the introductions, "This is our housekeeper, Relli, and my older brother, Martin."

  "I am pleased to meet you all," Born said.

  They sat there in stunned silence at the sight of an alien in their own home, and tried not to stare at Born's flamboyant outfit. Jenny's father broke the uncomfortable silence.

  "I am so glad to get the opportunity to talk to you again. On behalf of the entire planet, I would like to express our gratitude for what you have done for us. Words just don't seem to be enough. I wish there was some way to repay you."

  "You're planet has already given us so much. We have collected water here for centuries, and now we are able to come back and continue to collect water for centuries to come," Born said.

  "I am very honored to meet you, Born. Thank you for saving us, and for keeping our Jenny safe," Relli said. "I have a strange feeling we have met before, but of course that is impossible."

  "Yes, quite impossible," Born agreed.

  Martin piped in. "Yes, thank you. It's hard to believe water is so rare for you, and we are your main source of it."

  "Yes, clean fresh water is very rare in this small area of the galaxy. We were lucky to discover Earth many centuries ago or we may have perished as a race," Born explained.

  "So, you would have perished too if our planet was destroyed by the comet?" Martin asked.

  "Most life forms would have been wiped out, but the Earth itself would have survived the collision. However, you are correct. It would have affected us enormously. Water collection here could not have resumed for years, until the aftermath of the collision settled down. Even then, the water would have needed to be put through an extensive filtration process because of the particle fallout created by the impact. We would have had to rely on our secondary water source, but it is not nearly as convenient as Earth, so saving your planet is very important to us, too. As a matter of fact, I have been in touch with my planet, and Jenny and I are considered heroes."

  "As you are here, well at least in this house," Jenny's father said.

  "You know what too, Dad?" Jenny said, but didn't wait for a response.

  "Soilanglobe has invited me to go there to be honored as a hero along with Born, but they ask that the invitation be absolutely confidential," Jenny said.

  "No one would believe us if we blabbed anyway!" Martin said. "You're so lucky!"

  Jenny's father was silent though.

  "Dad? What do you think?" Jenny asked hopefully.

  "I think we just got you back, and I don't want to lose you again," he replied.

  "Dad, this is a great opportunity for me, for us. I will be able to see things you have been studying for years through your telescope, but I'll be able to see them up close. I'll see things no human has ever seen before. I can experience another species' customs and culture. If I had the opportunity to go to, say Paris for a year, and you trusted the people I was going to be with, wouldn't you let me go?" Jenny asked.

  "Yes, but this is totally different, Jenny," her father protested.

  "Why, just because it's away from Earth? The danger is over. This is a fun educational trip. You trust Born don't you?" she asked.

  "Yes, of course, I trusted him with your life, didn't I?" he replied.

  "Well then?" she felt her side of the discussion made the most sense.

  Born was enjoying this. It was nice to see somebody else pressured relentlessly by Jenny for a change. He wondered how long it would take Jenny's father to give in. Born just relaxed and listened, and was glad it wasn't him.

  "Jenny, why do you do this to me? We just got through one trying, stressful situation, and now you want to put me through another?" he said, sounding very frustrated. "How long would she be gone, Born?"

  Well that was quicker than Born had expected, he knew Jenny had just got her way, again.

  "Approximately a year. She could keep in touch with you, but if you get homesick Jenny, there is no way to come back sooner," Born warned.

  "I'll be fine. I'm not saying I won't miss everyone, because I will, but this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I'll see things that no other human being has ever seen, or even dreamed of seeing. Dad, for the enrichment of us all, you should give me permission to go."

  "What about your schoolwork? How are you going to keep up with that?" her father challenged.

  "Obos can easily take care of that. It can pick up Jenny's grade curriculum from the school computer, and keep her up to date with her lessons," Born offered.

  Jenny's father turned to Relli and Martin. "What do you two think?"

  Martin gave his opinion first. "I wish it was me going. I think she should go. I'll miss her, but this is a once in a billion lifetime's opportunity."

  Relli looked at Jenny with a soft, gentle smile. "She should go. I trust Born, and I think it's important that she goes. I believe this was destined to happen, in the stars, so to speak. I believe Jenny has been chosen for this, and there is important work for her to do out there, just like she was chosen for the task she has just completed here on Earth. There is greatness in her, she's born for it, I can feel it."

  Mr. Thompson and Born shared a skeptical look.

  "What is your opinion on the invitation, Born?" Jenny's father asked.

  "My reasons for wanting Jenny to come along are a little selfish. I enjoy her company. I would welcome her presence on board the Traveler during the long journey. Although I cannot guarantee her safety, we have many safety mechanisms built into the Traveler, and I will protect her to the best of my ability. She will experience and see many new things, and she will return enriched and enlightened. This is all I can say. The difficult decision is yours to make."

  "I suppose my reasons are a little selfish as well. I know she will be safe under your care, but I can't stand the thought of being without her for an entire year. But, the opportunity is incredible, so, I reluctantly give my permission," Jenny's father announced.

  "All right!" Jenny shouted.

  "Congratulations, Jenny," Martin and Relli said as they hugged her.

  "Maybe, I'm just a little jealous too," added Jenny's father. "I've spent most of my life studying and trying to make sense of the cosmos, and I, would dearly love to be able to go and see everything up close. I would be able to unravel some of the mysteries that have puzzled us for decades."

  "Don't worry Dad, just make me a list of the questions, and I'll do my best to discover the answers for you. I'll return with the secrets of the universe," she proclaimed.

  "We'l
l settle for you coming home safe and sound," added Relli. "Now what can I get you from the kitchen. You must be famished after your long and dangerous mission, and Jenny told us about the tasteless space rations you have to exist on. Please come into the kitchen and sample some of my tasty creations," Relli insisted, as she led Born towards the kitchen. Jenny smirked at Born as he was escorted by, looking somewhat bewildered. Martin turned the news back on and sat down to listen.

  "It's funny how quickly we accept things, isn't it, Dad?" Jenny said.

  "How do you mean?" he asked back.

  "Well, if someone had told us two weeks ago what was coming up in our lives, it would have been totally unbelievable. Now the danger is past and we have an alien as our houseguest, and I'll be going on a long trip into space. It's funny isn't it?" She found it hard to believe what a whirlwind her life had suddenly become.

  "Yes, I guess you're right. After the initial shock of certain things, our race does seem to be able to accept and cope quite well. I suppose it's a built-in survival mechanism."

  "Has the tsunami hit yet?" Jenny's attention was diverted by the sound of the news on television.

  "Any minute now," Martin answered from his spot on the couch.

  "I sure hope everyone got out on time," Jenny said, as she and her father joined Martin. They listened intently to the expressionless female announcer on television, talking about the comet and its fall-out, and the fast approaching tidal wave.

  "There are reports of damage caused by smaller bits of the comet striking the Earth all the way from South Africa through to Europe in decreasing frequency as we travel northward. The evacuation process of Atlantic coastal regions in now in full swing."

  The coverage shifted to scenes of bumper-to-bumper traffic as citizens tried to escape their coastal homes, and then a view of streaking meteorites inflicting damage on buildings and property. The footage was riveting. Streaking fireballs from the sky exploding into remote and populated areas, and minute-by-minute coverage of the tsunami as it bore down on the many shores it would affect. "Now to our eye in the sky, Samantha Edgar."

  "I'm just over the city of New York. The tsunami is getting bigger as the mass of water is forced upwards by the rising elevation of the shallows, and it is moving at an alarming speed. The water on the shoreline is being drawn back, a sure sign that the tsunami is imminent. A huge wall of water is swelling right before my very eyes. It's cresting! Hang on !"

  The gigantic wave crashed over and buffeted the small helicopter about in a rush of wind and spray.

  The wave ripped buildings from their very foundations. It swept away anything not attached to the ground, and carried it away into the city. Rivers of water washed through the manmade Manhattan canyons of glass, concrete and steel. By the time the pilot had righted the helicopter and the camera was focused back on to the city, the main wave had hit and very little was left standing on the shoreline.

  In the middle of the damage, however, standing tall and proud still, and waste deep in the still rising water, was The Statue of Liberty, holding her torch high, as a beacon of strength, resilience and hope. The world had been very fortunate to escape with only a scratch, and it would surely repair and rebuild the damage caused by the small piece of the killer comet.

  "I sure hope everyone got out in time, but I suspect there will be some casualties," Jenny's father said as he switched off the TV.

  "I wish we could have moved the final piece in time," Jenny said sadly.

  "Most of the damage is to property, and millions of lives were saved because of your's and Born's heroism. Please don't feel responsible. You did everything you could, and the entire world owes you a debt of thanks," her father said.

  "Thanks Dad," Jenny said, and gave him a hug. They went into the kitchen and found Born sitting at the kitchen table, surrounded by a variety of different foods, and he sampled little bits of everything.

  "Oh, this is good," he said of the sweet potato. "Oh my, this is incredible!" he raved of the apple pie.

  "Yes, try everything Born," Relli said.

  "Got enough food there, Born?" Jenny asked, smiling.

  "Well, you know how it is when you've been on space rations for awhile," Born said, looking a little embarrassed.

  "You're right, I do know." And she grabbed a plate and a fork, and carved a big piece of the apple pie.

  "And I'll be on them again soon, so I'm going to take full advantage of whatever my stomach will hold now," she said, and sat beside Born.

  "When were you planning on leaving?" Mr. Thompson asked.

  "I was planning on leaving tomorrow, if it is convenient," Born mumbled through a mouthful of pie.

  Jenny's father frowned. "I was afraid you'd say that."

  "I'm sorry, but my people need the water I carry and we must stop for repairs and do some trading on the way, which will delay us further, so I must leave as soon as possible."

  "Well, I guess you had better go pack as soon as you've finished up."

  Jenny looked over at her father and nodded while she chewed.

  "A whole year you say. I hope I can last that long," Jenny's father said.

  Born ate his fill, thanked Relli for the wonderful foods, complained he ate too much, and then took his leave.

  "See you tomorrow, and thanks," Jenny said.

  "You're welcome, Jenny. See you tomorrow," Born said, and he struck out towards the Traveler, rubbing his swollen belly as he went.

  Jenny went upstairs to pack, and although Born had instructed her to pack light, she wanted to be well prepared for the long journey, so she packed an array of comfortable clothes and personal items. The business card Relli had given Jenny when they first met caught Jenny's eye as it lay on her dresser. She squinted to make out the reverse image in the mirror of Relli's full name, Rellet Caidoz, and read it backwards. "Zodiac Teller." Jenny laughed. "Good pick, Relli," she said to herself.

  .

  The next morning dawned bright and sunny with the promise of fresh adventure, and Jenny was very excited and anxious to get going. She had a good breakfast of Relli's delicious blueberry flapjacks she loved so much. Martin was nearly vibrating out of his chair at the thought of seeing an extraterrestrial spaceship.

  Everyone was ready to go by 8:00 am. The air was cool and the ground was wet with dew. No one spoke too much on the way to the Traveler and Mr. Thompson occasionally shifted hands while carrying Jenny's medium sized travel case. Martin and Relli gasped at their first sight of the large spacecraft. The stairs were down and Born stood in the open doorway at the top. Jenny turned to say good-bye to everyone.

  "We'll miss ya, Jen," Martin said as he gave his sister a hug.

  "I'll miss you guys, too. Don't give Relli too much grief," Jenny ordered.

  "I won't," Martin promised, with a slight blush.

  "Take care of yourself," Relli said. "And remember, this is your destiny. Just follow your heart and all will work out as it is written." Then, gave Jenny a big hug.

  "You were right, Relli. Things are already starting to take shape. I'm excited, but nervous," Jenny admitted. "Hopefully I can discover the meaning of your reoccurring dream."

  "Just remember what I told you."

  "I will. Thanks, Relli. Or should I say, Zodiac Teller," Jenny replied, and Relli just smiled.

  Jenny's father frowned at their mysterious conversation. "Whatever that all means, and I don't even want to know."

  "Don't worry, Dad. I don't even know what she means most of the time," Jenny admitted, smiling, and Relli gave Jenny a final wink.

  "Good bye, honey. We'll miss you, keep in touch." her father said.

  "I will," Jenny promised. She took her suitcase from her father, gave him a final kiss on the cheek, and climbed the stairs. Jenny waved from the top of the stairs and the door slid closed in front of her. Obos collapsed the stairs into the side of the Traveler.

  The spaceship then rose slowly and silently straight up, until it was well above the treetops, and then it quick
ly accelerated away into space.