Alpha Rising (47 page)

Lynch cleared his throat and leaned across
the table to speak with the stranger face to face. “Elhannon. Now
if you’re leavin’ these kids here with us and all our passengers,
we’re gonna be short of shelter—sleepin’ quarters.”

“
My ship has adequate
provisions.”

“
It’s like a small city in
there,” Bach said.

Lynch nodded, then locked Elhannon in his
stare. “So you’ll be staying with us too?”

“
No. But the two bottom
layers of my craft will remain.”

Bach spoke up. “I told you it’s like a city
in there. A city with a hotel big enough for all of us. There are
kitchens, workshops, laboratories, and recreation areas.”

G.R. tapped Elhannon’s shoulder. “Where will
you go when you leave?”

Deni interjected, “And where did you come
from?”

“
Let’s just say I’ll be
going home.” Elhannon’s manner of reply left no room for further
questions.

*****

When darkness fell, Elhannon took Star to
his spacecraft’s top level and closed the door. The small area
resembled a comfortable apartment with separate rooms, curved
walls, and soft furniture. In the pastel blue and white
surroundings, nothing resembled a cockpit. There were no
instruments, gauges, headphones, or computers. A comfortable chair
with controls on the armrests overlooked a viewing window.

Elhannon placed his hands on Star’s
shoulders. His pale blue eyes stared at hers for a halting time
before he spoke. “Star…,” his voice was a whisper, “I’m your
uncle.”

Goosebumps covered her body. She stared
back. “I don’t understand.”

“
Altemus is my brother,” he
said with a rush of breath.

“
My father has a
brother?”

Elhannon put his lips to her forehead with a
kiss she barely felt. “I never made it all the way to birth.” He
looked from loving eyes.

"But, you’re a man … an adult….”

“
For those where I live,
age is an ongoing choice.”

“
You can change your
age?”

“
Yes.”

Star acted on an overpowering urge to hug
him, and it was as if a protective force instantly enveloped her.
She nestled her face against his chest and softly asked, “You’re
the Creator’s intermediary?”

“
I, and others.” He wrapped
his arms around her and rested his chin on her head.

They embraced for a time, neither willing to
break the connection. Then Star stepped back to wipe away
tears.

Elhannon took her hand in his, smiling. “Now
go to your new family. I’ll depart tonight as you sleep.”

Their soft blue eyes held the connection,
neither wanting to look away. When the energy waned from Elhannon’s
grasp, Star stepped back, letting her hand slide along his to
treasure the last of his touch.

*****

The next morning, after awakening inside
Elhannon’s city-like ship, the crewmates rushed outside, wondering
if he’d departed undetected. The smaller craft was gone.

Kaz whispered, “He’s out there
somewhere.”

Star nodded and glanced skyward,
smiling.

“
I hardly knew him, but
I’ll miss him,” Deni said.

“
We’re caretakers of a new
earth,” G.R. added.

“
In the new Jerusalem,”
Lynch replied.

Bach moved to Star’s side and took her hand
in his. His other hand moved to the chain around his neck. He
touched the tree of life and circle of light pendants and looked
into Star’s eyes. “Hope for eternity.”

--END--

I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I
enjoyed writing it. I would be honored if you would post a
favorable review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born in northern Ohio, but have lived
most of my life in Florida; Miami being my childhood home, and now
living near Cape Canaveral, where shuttle launches visible from my
front yard set the stage for Alpha Rising.

Writing has always been part of my life, and
I knew one day all my notes and musings regarding deep space, and
what lies beyond, would form the foundation for this exciting,
entertaining, and provocative space-travel novel.

My hope for the future is that many medical
conditions will be successfully treated and cured in space station
laboratories.

Enjoy the journey.

G.L. Douglas

Please visit my
website:
http://www.alpharising.net

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