I can still attain liftoff, although it will be nearly vertical. The worm hole portal hasn't moved since I landed and I'm going to need a very short ignition time to make sure I go through it on the first try. I don't dare assume I will have a second chance.
The original plan was that I stay on the planet for a maximum of three days, to minimize any opportunity of meeting the inhabitants -- if there are any. I have decided to stay within an hour's walk of my shuttle. The vegetation is lush and thick, but also provides cover.
I've seen some animal signs but nothing alive except my lion and a small herd of deer. There is a river that seems to be well-stocked with fish. This is a beautiful and peaceful place.
It occurs to me that I might be the first sentient being to see this planet. Does that mean I should claim it? Do I get to name it?
Day 3
Planet
It's been almost three days since I landed and I've still seen nothing that suggests any habitation beyond the few animals. It's quite possible we've stumbled unto a smaller version of Earth.
I still have no idea how far I traveled in the wormhole. Perhaps that will clear up on my return journey.
I'm not sure if I want to leave this place. It's beautiful and peaceful. If it weren't for Rachel and our children I might seriously consider staying. However I also have a responsibility to our world. If I've truly discovered a second Earth, we have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and begin anew. That thought is both frightening and heartening.
I am making ready to leave. I believe I have made the necessary repairs for a safe journey back home. It looks like the rear vertical thrusters had more damage than I thought. I am coming up at an angle, not enough power to hold her steady. Going to have to go full burn on the mains. I hope that will get me clear.
Oh, no! My afterburners have ignited the fruit tree. I'm afraid it won't survive. Such a shame I will be the only person who got a taste of that fruit.
The portal is directly in front of my shuttle. I will be out of here -- Wait! I swear I just saw two humans walk into the clearing. Is it possible I was mistaken in my belief that the planet was uninhabited? But only two. And they appear to be naked. How odd!
I don't think they saw me. They seem to be watching the tree. I hope it wasn't a major source of their food supply.
Goodbye, beautiful world. I hope I return soon.
Space Station
"Welcome back, sir!"
"Thank you. It's good to be back. Where are Jack and Mac?"
"I'm sorry, sir, but our instructions are to not discuss details until you have been debriefed. We were sent to escort you back."
"And my wife? May I speak with her?"
"I'm sorry, sir, but that will have to wait until the debriefing. Rest assured, your family has been notified of your safe return. We will be departing at 0500 tomorrow. Quarters have been arranged for your comfort and we are prepared to provide almost anything you request."
"Thank you. Yes, I could use a long nap. I will be ready at 0500."
"Yes, sir!"
"So, what's going on here?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. We were told to meet a shuttle craft at this location and time. That's what we did."
"But who is this guy?"
"Frankly, I have no idea. But far be it from me to question a direct summons."
"Gotcha. When we need to know, I'm sure we will be brought in."
"Get some rest. See you in the morning."
"You too, my friend."
Earth
"David King. Welcome home!"
"Thank you. I'm sorry, but have we met before?"
"No, sir. I have been given the task of debriefing you. My name is Stephen."
"Nice to meet you. Let's get started. I have a lot of information, and then I'm anxious to get home to my wife and children."
"Yes, sir. What is your wife's name?"
"Rachel."
"What was her maiden name, please?"
"James."
"Oh yes. I know her."
"First of all, sir --"
"Please, call me 'David'."
"David. Thank you, sir ... uhh, David. To continue, first of all I know only the basics of your mission. Please start from the beginning."
"That's odd, but sure. It all began back in May when two scientists on the International Space Station noticed an anomaly that they at first assumed was a black hole . . . ."
"And that's about it. I made voice recordings of everything I saw which I can release for your study. By the way, how long was I gone? Time was a bit skewed on my journey."
"What day did you leave?"
"August 16."
"What year?"
"Year? This one of course!"
"Just for my records, please."
"Twenty twenty-two."
"Are we done here? I'd like to go home."
"Well, David ..."
"Well, what?"
"It's a bit complicated."
"What's complicated? Is my family safe?"
"Please sit down. Everyone is fine, but things are not exactly as you left them."
"I was gone for less than a week. What, are we at war? Or has there been a natural disaster? What?"
"I will explain as best I can, but I'm not sure if you will understand. Please sit down."
"Okay, let me get this straight ... No, wait, there is no way I can get this straight! This is impossible. I went to another planet some great distance from Earth. I traveled through a wormhole that appeared on the far side of our moon. I was gone only a few days. That's it. That's all that happened."
"I'm sorry for your confusion David, but that's not what happened. I know you will need some time to work through this. We have arranged an apartment for you here. You are free to come and go as you please. We have tried to locate some of your closer friends, and the man whom you call Pastor. They will be contacting you, and they will be expecting questions. They have been given leave to answer any and all."
"And Rachel? What about her?"
"We will find her. I'm sure she will be willing to meet with you."
"David?"
"Pastor! Am I glad to see you!"
"Yes, my brother, I am delighted to meet you! And please call me Michael."
"Pastor -- Michael -- we've known each other for more than fifteen years."
"Of course. Pardon me. We are all still a bit bewildered."
"Join the club!"
"I'm glad to hear your laugh, my friend! That's a good sign."
"David, I haven't seen you since college!"
"Jack! Oh, you are just who I need to see? Where's Mac?"
"You mean Clarence MacNaughton? He lives a few hundred miles from here, but he's on his way. He should be here tomorrow."
"You are the one who must know what's going on!"
"I've already read your report. You say Mac and I were working the space station and saw the anomaly?"
"Yes. You reported it to Mission Control. I volunteered to explore it. I was transported to the station and spent the evening with you boys before I took the shuttle into the wormhole."
"I'm sorry, David, but I've never been on the space station. Neither has Clarence."
"Okay. Well, that clears things up and muddies 'em at the same time."
"David, we found Rachel. She'd like to meet you. She's at the corner cafe. I assume you will recognize her."
"Any more, I'm not sure of much of anything."
"Rachel ...?"
"Yes. You must be David. Please sit down."
"Thank you ... Well, this is awkward."
"Please. It's fine. Can you tell me about ...?”
"Us? That would be my great pleasure . . . ."
"I see. May I say that based on this time we've spent together today, I can be well assured that we were very happy together -- before."
“‘Very’ barely describes it. May we meet again? I realize I will need to start all over again courting you, but I'd sure like to gi
ve it my best shot."
"That would be my pleasure. Two girls, eh? What did we name them? Wait, let me guess ... Rebecca and Hannah."
"Your two favorite names."
"I like you David."
"That's exactly what you said the night we met!"
"And you said?"
"Oh no, that will have to wait until our third date!"
"Until next time, then."
"I hope it will be very soon." (I'm going to marry you.)
"David! Welcome to our home. And this must be the beautiful and mysterious Rachel we've heard so much about."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Jack. I've heard some equally flattering things about you."
"So, Jack, this is my day to find out more about life on Earth."
"Right to the point, David. I like that. Okay everyone, let's grab a snack and a drink from the table and have a seat in the living room."
"I guess introductions can be first. Clarence?”
“I'm Clarence MacNaughton. My wife, Donna, had another commitment but sends her greetings. You knew me as 'Mac' and apparently I was on the space station with Jack when you went through the worm hole."
"Michael Johnson. My wife, Clara. We were neighbors, among other associations."
"Tommy Matthews. I'm not married yet. I was -- and am -- your mechanic."
"Nice to meet you all, again. Thank you. I have so many questions."
"Well, I was elected to share some of the basics and then let you dive in, if that's okay."
"Sure, Jack. Fire when ready."
"I am forty years old, although not much is made of age here. Most of us live in our physical bodies about one hundred and fifty years. The common custom is to wait until we reach the age of thirty to get married, then let ourselves be led to our spouse. We aren't in any hurry for much of anything since we have such a long life span. Many of us continue our education beyond high school unless -- like Tommy here -- we choose a trade ..."
"Or it's chosen for us."
"Well said, Tommy. We are all in professions that reflect our talents and gifts, but more importantly we love what we do."
"If I may interject – David, with no wars to deal with, I'm sure some of the professions you remember aren't necessary, but we are still a curious people. We have made changes in technology that I think are on a par with those you remember. The only things missing are those that were used in anger or to defeat another -- or that were necessary to clean up after such events. From what you've said, yours was not such a peaceful life."
"No, Mac, it wasn't. In fact, this life you have is what many of us longed for and were looking forward to -- in a different world ... I must ask about your clothing. I'm a bit surprised, but frankly relieved."
"As our population grew many of our ancestors migrated to other climates. It became necessary to be protected. As technology advanced, we found that pockets came in handy! Then it became more of a tradition. Our sense of artistry kicked in, and here we are."
"Well, you've done a remarkable job. The fabrics I've seen are amazing. Some seem to be made of the wings of butterflies, others look like the skin of an elephant."
"Thank you. I know you are directing that compliment at me. It has become a joy in my life to design and complete these outfits. I know that the reason is a good one, from a pure motive."
"You always had an artistic nature, Rachel. I'm glad you have been able to indulge it."
"From what you've told me, I was the leader of your church. I'm not sure if I understand that expression, but I do know that my current profession sounds very similar."
"Yes, Michael. In my world we gathered together once a week, usually on Sunday, and worshipped together. You led that worship time, and also gave us counsel when we were troubled. In fact, except for Jack and Mac -- and of course Rachel -- you were the only one who knew the true nature of my mission. You probably have no recollection of this, but several days before I left we met with you and shared a dream --”
"A garden ... God speaking ...”
"Yes! You remember?"
"It's not like a memory, more of a fleeting impression ... but I had a feeling it was important to revisit."
"I had the same feeling, about the time you say you left Earth."
"Rachel!"
"That's incredible! Because now that you mention it, I recall a dream where I really was on the space station --"
"Me too! I shared it with Donna. We laughed, considering I am a farmer by trade."
"My friends -- and my dearest Rachel -- thank you for sharing. I am still a bit off balance, but my confusion is gone. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems it was a very good thing."
"Did you bring the history book? Can we see it?"
"Yes, of course. Be prepared. It isn't always pretty."
Epilogue
"David, how are you doing?"
"I've come to understand what has happened. I've met my former now future wife. I'm ready to be a part of this new experience."
"As you should be. It's obvious you were the instrument of change. That is quite an honor."
"Yes, Michael, it is. I am honored and deeply humbled. I'm just not sure where I go from here."
"Have you spoken with God yet?"
"Well, I've certainly been in communication. I'm not sure that 'spoken' is the correct word."
"Oh yes. But of course ... You may not know that. Where did you meet before?"
"Meet? I'm sorry, but we didn't meet."
"There must have been some special place you got together."
"Well, I suppose it may have been in the evening, on the river. That was always my favorite spot."
"Then that's the place."
"Just like that? Just go there and -- what? -- talk?"
"Of course. You know very well that He walked and talked in the cool of the evening."
"You mean ...?”
"Hello. I've been wanting to talk. You set this all up for me. I left a world of war and strife and crime. I returned to a place of peace. I didn't go to some distant planet. I was sent back in time ten thousand years because You have mercifully given us a second chance to get it right from the Beginning. I know the tree that burnt up was the one in the Garden of Eden. I know that Eve was never tempted to eat from it because it didn't exist. Without that first sin, we now live in a place of peace and harmony, all living our lives for You."
"David, my good and faithful servant."
"Oh, my --- GOD!"
"And the man and woman did not eat from the tree."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
C L Miller is a sixty-two year old woman truck driver who teams with her husband. They drive over-the-road in the United States and Canada. Prior to getting her CDL, she worked in a library and in accounting.
She calls this new adventure her ‘mid-life crisis career” and has recorded her journeys in the continuing series “A Long Way From Home: A Trucker’s Life Through A Woman’s Eye”. She occasionally detours into fiction, as in “Pivotals” and “First Fruits”.
She welcomes comments and questions, and can be contacted at
[email protected].
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