From Here to 1137 AD; Episode 40, Goodbye Debbie, Hello Space

This is episode forty of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback. 

Goodbye Debbie, Hello Space

For the next two days, Tom spent a lot of time with Debbie. However, he used the rest of his time preparing the farm and Gene for his voyage. Gene continued to believe Tom was merely taking an extended trip somewhere on Earth.

The day of departure arrived.

A cold fog hung low over the frozen farm fields. Tom and Debbie stood in the lane near the shrouded pod.

“Well, Tom, this is it for a while,” Debbie said.

“Study hard,” Tom said. “I want to see that you made the dean’s list.”

“It will be hard,” Debbie said. “I’ll worry.”

“And I’ll worry about you. Remember, farm work is far more dangerous than what I’m going to do.”

“I wish I knew more so I could worry less,” Debbie said.

“I’m going to a planet very much like Earth. It’s almost a thousand years behind us. They haven’t even invented the printing press. Where I’m going to, rifles won’t appear for maybe another two hundred years. The vertical windmill has not yet come of age.”

“There are things like knives, swords, lances, clubs, and just plain old physical brutality,” Debbie said.

“I have a suit,” Tom said. “It is invisible and micro-thin. Nothing that we have today can penetrate it. A man could knock me over the head with a lead pipe, and I wouldn’t feel it.”

“Are you saying that to make me feel better?” Debbie said.

“No, it’s true. Don’t worry. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

They embraced and kissed.

Tom looked into Debbie’s eyes. “There is nothing in this universe that can keep me from not returning to you. I’m holding everything in the universe in my arms at this moment.”

“I’ll think of you every moment,” Debbie’s eyes became moist.

Tom smiled assuringly. “Goodbye and see you soon.”

Debbie wiped a tear from her cheek. “Don’t pick up any hitchhikers.”

They stepped away holding hands. Their hands dropped, and they parted. 

Tom watched Debbie walk away, down the farm lane until she faded into the cold morning fog.

‘I don’t know who will be the loneliest,’ Tom thought.

Tom entered the pod. He wondered if he should take a moment for some sort of reflection. “I have plenty of time and space to wonder.”

“Brain,” Tom said, “how far away will we be traveling?”

“1,748 kiloparsecs,” Brain said.

“Can you tell me that in miles?” 

“It would be best to tell you in days; how many days it will take,” Brain said.

“Have it your way.”

“Five days,” Brain said.

“That’s fine, but it still doesn’t satisfy my curiosity.”

“Okay,” Brain said, “if Earth were the size of a golf ball, you would have to travel forty trillion miles.”

Tom fell into the captain’s chair. He squinted as if trying to unravel a complicated concept. 

“Do you have a reply?” Brain asked.

“I’m almost afraid I asked to begin with.”

“It is understood,” Brain said. “Even those from the planet where I was created are left with the same perplexities as you have now.”

“What about you?”

“As a machine, I can’t imagine,” Brain said. “I’m limited to only what I know and can calculate.”

“Can you at least give me an idea of how we can travel that far in a comparatively short span of time?”

“Certainly,” Brain said. “Once we break the speed of light, which is the most difficult maneuver to achieve, a realm of existence is entered into. It is called the Superluminal Zone or SL Zone. The conventional laws of physics do not apply there. I am referring to laws such as Newton’s Laws of Physics. Once in that zone, propulsion as it is understood in your realm does not exist. It is a zone where time and distance are compressed. However, objects are not. Thus, you and this pod, or anything brought to it, can operate. However, it is the ability to calculate what occurs outside the Zone is the only way to use it effectively. Light does not exist in this realm. Is that enough, or do you need more?”

“How far am I traveling in rods?” Tom chuckled and added. “Just kidding.”

“I have it, if you like,” Brain said.

“How far am I from the Earth now?” 

“At least 10 million miles,” Brain said. “It is difficult to calculate because in the time it took to ask, you could have traveled hundreds of thousands of light-years.”

“Just get me there safely,” Tom said. “And I won’t ask anymore questions that I can’t grasp.”

“No offense, Brain,”but I should have brought somebody with me. I have the feeling these next five days are going to be boring. It will be like living underground.”

“You may want to study as much as you can absorb about 12th-century England. It appears to be a fascinating time in history. Regarding your own sensitivities and preferences, it may prove to be a challenge. Knowledge, a willingness to adapt, and compliance cannot be underestimated.”

“You sound experienced.”

“I have offered advice on many such experiences,” Brain said. “You will find a wealth of intriguing reading that is ready for you on your tablet.”

“I know, get busy.”

The rest of the day was filled with reading. Tom occasionally stopped and pondered how he might fit into the rural life of 12th-century England.  

From Here To 1137 AD; Episode 39, A Day At The Beach

This is episode thirty-nine of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback. 

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A Day At The Beach

At the back door of Debbie’s home, she met Tom with a quick kiss. 

He spoke privately to Debbie’s brother about taking care of the cattle. Her brother agreed. 

Tom asked Debbie to climb into the truck and go with him back to his house. As they drove the short distance, Debbie looked perplexed as she stared at Tom’s profile. She sensed something was deeply troubling him. His face blended with the vacant and cold—vacant and cold as the farm fields they drove by. 

Tom steered into the driveway and turned off the truck. He turned to Debbie. “Can I trust you with a secret?”

She hesitated and appeared confused. “I feel as if you are about to tell me something that might end our relationship.”

“I told you I love you. That will never change. He gently held her hand. “I will be gone for a while. I’m not sure how long, but I will return.”

“How long?” Debbie asked.

“I don’t know, but I can’t see it lasting more than a few months at the very most.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” Debbie said as if she wanted more of an explanation. “But when you mean trust, do you mean me seeing someone else while you are gone?”

“No, I said it was a secret,” Tom said, “but I’ve always lived with the possibility that if you should find someone else—well, we are young and we change.”

“I love you, Tom,” Debbie said. “That will never change.”

“If you should find someone else, you cannot tell that person,” Tom said. “Can you do that? Is that possible?”

“I love you so much that no matter what, I could never betray your trust,” Debbie assured.

Tom grabbed the door handle and cracked the door open. “Come with me. I’m going to show you something that will be hard for you to believe.”

Debbie tossed her head from side to side as if to say, ‘I’m ready for this.’

They walked without a word to the empty cornfield. 

Tom stopped and turned Debbie toward the cornfield.

“Pod un-shroud,” Tom said. 

The pod appeared.

“Ahh,” Debbie let out an excited scream and lost her breath.

“You’re okay,” Tom said, curling his arm around Debbie.

“Pod, shroud,” Tom said, and the pod disappeared.

“What…?” Debbie said with a combination of fear, excitement, and wonderment. “What is going on? What is that?”

“It’s called a pod,” Tom said. 

“Where did it come from?” Debbie stared at the cornfield.

“Several months ago, I was visited by someone from a distant galaxy, and he entrusted the pod to me.”

“We’re not both crazy or hallucinating, are we?” Debbie said.

Tom smiled assuredly at Debbie. “Let’s get out of the cold.”

She turned to start walking back down the lane toward the house.

Tom tugged gently on her arm. “Wait.”

Her brow furled.

“Pod hatch, open,” Toms said, and the pod door opened as if a part of the cornfield.

Tom held Debbie’s hand and led her inside the pod.

Tom felt her hand tremble.

“Pod hatch, close,” Tom said.

Fear spread across Debbie’s face when the hatch closed.

“Let me take your coat,” Tom said. “You’re safe here. In fact, this is the safest place on Earth.”

“No, thank you,” Debbie said. “I’ll keep my coat on.”

Tom gestured with his hand toward the lounge. “Let’s relax over here.”

Debbie cautiously walked into the lounge and sat in a chair. She remained suspicious and nervous.

“This place is just as real as your living room,” Tom said.

“I have to let my thoughts slow down,” Debbie said. 

“That’s okay. I had the exact reaction when this was all revealed to me the first time.” Tom paused. “Are you still prepared to keep this secret?”

A sickly smile of resignation fell upon Debbie’s face. “Secret! Who’s going to believe me anyway?”

“That was my feeling also.”

“What is this thing?” Debbie asked and slid her coat off.

“It’s called a pod, but it travels. I’ve been to New York City and San Jose, Costa Rica. I can be any place in the world in a matter of minutes. Soon I will travel beyond this galaxy, through another, and into the next. It will take only a few days.”

“Why are you going to do it?” Debbie said. “Are you being forced?”

“No,” Tom said, “not at all. But it is something very critical.”

Debbie leaned forward and held Tom’s hands. “You were never the one to trivialize anything. It must be important. It must be dangerous too?”

“There’s danger in picking corn. I really believe the danger involved is less than that for me. However, many others are involved and will be affected.”

“I won’t ask you how you can be so sure,” Debbie said. She smiled and relaxed.

“Let me ask you something,” Tom looked into Debbie’s eyes and smiled. “Would you like to go someplace warm?”

“Who wouldn’t?” Debbie said, unsurely. 

“Brain,” Tom said. 

“Yes,” Brain said.

Debbie jerked.

“That’s an onboard computer that runs this thing,” Tom said. “It’s just a synthesized voice. It’s not a being. Although I do take to him like he’s one.”

Debbie continued to appear confounded.

“Brain, take us to a deserted island in the Pacific. Sandy beaches, swaying palms, clear skies, and warm breezes.”

“Several islands are matching that description,” Brain said.

“The closest will be fine.”

A slight movement of the pod caused Debbie to jerk again.

“We’re okay. We’re airborne. Let’s go forward and take a look at the Earth that few people ever see.”

Tom held Debbie’s hand as they walked to the front of the pod. They sat in two chairs at the control panel. Debbie’s eyes filled with wonderment as she saw the orb of the Earth slowly turn as they sped along at a speed neither of them could comprehend.

“I did not think anything like this was possible except in movies,” Debbie said.

Tom tapped a screen on the control panel. “We should arrive in twenty minutes.”

“How fast are we going?” Debbie said.

Tom tapped another screen. “6,822 miles per hour. That’s almost 9 times the speed of sound.”

“I’m feeling sick,” Debbie said.

“Brain,” Tom said, “what do you suggest?”

“All physical readings point to stress,” Brain said. “Four ounces of Chardonnay will certainly help.”

“Brain, have the replicator prepare four ounces for both of us,” Tom said. He patted Debbie’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”

Tom hurried to the replicator and returned with the glasses of Chardonnay.

“I don’t believe this,” Debbie said and sipped the wine. “This is so good.”

Tom sipped and said, “It’s probably the best. But what do I know?”

They chatted as they sipped the wine. 

“I’m feeling better,” Debbie said.

“We’re about there,” Tom said, glancing at one of the screens on the control panel.

There was a slight soft jerk of the pod.

“We have arrived at an uninhabited island,” Brian said.

“Hatch, open,” Tom said.

Tom and Debbie stepped out of the pod. They were greeted by three-foot waves breaking onto a white sandy beach. In both directions, palm trees hung over the beach. The water shimmered in a luscious blue expanse. 

They sat down and removed their shoes and socks. Then they strolled hand in hand along the water’s edge.

“Thank you for not keeping this from me,” Debbie said.

“I wanted only to see the expression on your face. This! Look all around, this is how much I love you.”

“I wish we could walk forever like this,” Debbie said. 

They walked for a while and returned to the pod. While there, Tom had a meal prepared, and they ate on the beach. 

They watched and listened to the waves. They talked about the serious and mundane. They laughed, and they cried. 

“We must go back,” Tom said.

“We must,” Debbie agreed with a smile and a kiss.

They flew back to the farm. Tom drove Debbie back to her home. Tom walked Debbie to the back door of her home.

“I’ll see you soon,” Tom said.

They kissed and parted.

From Here To 1137 AD; Episode 38, Preparing To Leave

This is episode thirty-eight of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback. 

Preparing To Leave

In the pod’s lounge, Tom leaned back in the chair. A multitude of thoughts streaked through his brain like a passenger train that forgot to stop and never slowed down at the station. 

“Brain,” Tom said, “can you infuse me with enough knowledge of 12th century England so I won’t feel like an alien?”

“I’m collecting data now,” Brain said. 

“Let me know when you’re ready,” Tom said.

His thoughts turned to the farm. He wondered how long he might be gone. The farm would need his attention to prepare for planting. There were the cattle; they would need to be looked after. “Debbie,” he murmured and thought, ‘I love her, and love is built on trust. If I were gone for a day or two, that’s one thing, but it could be a week or two, or months.’

“Are you ready for the infusion of knowledge of 12th century England?” Brain asked.

Tom relaxed and slowly closed his eyes. “Ready.” Tom felt a mild jolt accompanied by a short buzz in his ears.

“All done,” Brain said. 

“Well,” Tom said, “Stephen of Blois is king of England in 1138.”

Tom hiked back toward the house. He got into the truck and drove to Gene Francis’s office. Gene’s secretary ushered him into Gene’s office.

“What’s up?” Gene said.

“Something has come up, Gene, and I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Sure,” Gene said, “but if it’s something I can help you with…”

“That’s why I’m here. I may be gone for a while. I don’t know how long. I’d like for you to rent the farm out.”

Gene turned his head to the side. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s a private matter. And it has nothing to do with Edgar or any of his shenanigans.”

“I wish you could give me a little more to go on,” Gene said.

“Let’s put it this way, I’m going to be out of the country. Let’s just say I need a break.”

“And you are not going to tell me where, out of the country, you are going.”

“No,” Tom said.

“Is that it?” Gene asked.

“The Truesdale boy, down the road from us, I’m going to ask him to take care of the cattle. If you don’t mind, check in on him from time to time. He’s a kid.”

“Do you have any idea what you want to charge for renting the farm out?” Gene asked.

“Just make sure there’s enough to pay the bills—and don’t forget to pay yourself.”

“Well,” Gene said, “this all comes as a surprise. There will be questions from folks, what should I say?”

“Tell them what I told you, I’m out of the country. Tell them I wanted to see the world.”

Tom pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. He handed it to Gene. “This is where Edgar can be reached. He lives in Tristan da Cunha. That’s confidential. I’ll phone Edgar and tell him the same thing I’ve told you. On the paper are instructions regarding Edgar.”

“Tom, you seem quite serious and resolute,” Gene said. “Yet, you seem disturbed and troubled.”

“There’s a lot on my mind. That’s why I need some time away.”

Gene stood and walked around from behind his desk. He gripped Tom’s shoulder. “If you’re in some sort of trouble, I can help you or refer you to somebody who can help.”

Tom struck a smile. “Gene, if I was in trouble, I’d be pouring my guts out to you. But I’m not in trouble.”

“If you say you're not in trouble, you’re not in trouble,” Gene gave a half smile. “That’s the end of it. Wherever you go, I hope it goes well for you.”

“Thanks, Gene.”

Tom left the office and drove to Debbie’s home.