Button in the Fabric of Time (22 page)

“Yes,” I agreed, “it’s time to leave.”

I promised my family that we would return on
birthdays and important holidays. Jan and I said good-bye and
rubbed our travel button. We arrived at the purification station,
and hurriedly underwent cleansing. We reached the council chambers
just as the meeting was beginning.

* * *

Everyone stood as we entered. What an
enormous tribute they were paying us! Roc-2 personally escorted us
to seats at the end of the table. Two robots brought gray robes and
held them for us to slip into. They then stood in attendance behind
us.

Roc-2 returned to his place at the head of
the table and, after he was seated, the rest of us sat down. Six
Council members wore white robes, and six wore black. Roc-2’s robe
was white with black trim. A robot stood in attendance behind each
member, except for Roc-2. Behind him were two robots. The members’
faces reflected their intense concentration, but they were not
somber. For the first time, I noticed that four of the Council
members were women; their hooded robes framed their delicate
faces.

Roc-2 extended his right hand, palm up, to
Jan-3 and me and said, “We will receive your reports now. Jan-3,
since you’re familiar with our procedures, will you report
first?”

Jan-3 stood, did a slight nod to Roc-2, and
then looked directly into the eyes of each seated member. Her face
was serious; her radiant features reflected her sincerity. In a
clear voice, she said, “I am honored to speak before the council. .
. . Here in the thirty first century, I am Jan-3. But in the
twenty-first century, I am Mrs. Augustus Wilder. Whether here or
there, I am the life companion of Gus. He and I will forever be
joined in life and in purpose.”

She continued, “My journey to the past was
rewarding in many ways. The knowledge of my chosen professions of
history and anthropology has been increased. I learned of things we
have lost, like love, caring, courage, and giving. With that
knowledge, I will be able to contribute greatly to the betterment
of our society. I will write a complete report and submit it for
your review.” She nodded to Chairman Roc-2, and sat down.

Roc-2 extended his hand to me and nodded.

This was my first time to speak as a
Councilmember, and I was a little nervous. “Jan-3 has done me the
great honor of becoming my life mate. We’re ready to do whatever we
can to expand the knowledge of the people of Earth and, hopefully,
serve in a way that will be beneficial to all people
everywhere.”

Tena, a Council member, stood up. A cascade
of auburn hair fell around her shoulders as she pushed her hood
back and spoke. “Gus and Jan-3, you are uniquely qualified to fill
a special need. Now that it is possible to go into the past and
bring our ancestors forward to the present, many people are
requesting that privilege. We want to grant their requests, but we
are afraid that, in time, it would violate our law by
overpopulating the earth and creating problems that would cause
harm. We do not feel qualified to judge the actions of people in
previous times, but we cannot allow harmful behavior in our
society. Those being brought forward will have to be trained to
live in the thirty-first century. If they disobey our law, they
will have to be returned to their point of origin, or they will
have to form their own society on another planet.”

Jan-3 stood beside me and asked, “What can we
do to help?”

“You and Gus are experienced time travelers,”
Roc-2 replied. “We want you to search the galaxies for planets
suitable for human habitation.”

I looked at Jan-3 before responding.

“If Jan-3 is willing,” I said, “we’ll accept
the assignment. We’ll need experts to crew the
expedition—astronomers, biologists, botanists, chemists, and
geologists. I would like them to be volunteers.”

“The crew will all need to be armed with stun
guns,” Jan-3 added, “and we’ll each need time-travel buttons. We’ll
need a keri designed especially for the expedition.”

Tena had remained standing. She said, “Your
request is justified. I recommend that we accept their offer and
grant them whatever assistance we can provide.” She scanned the
faces of the Council, each of whom nodded solemnly.

“Whatever you need will be provided,” Roc-2
commented. “Select your crew. I doubt that you will have difficulty
finding volunteers. Gus, you will be in command; Jan-3 will be your
co-commander. Please let us know when you are ready to depart. The
people have heard of your exploits and are waiting to meet you. A
celebration will be held to commemorate your departure. Everyone
will want to wish you a safe and successful expedition.”

As Roc-2 had predicted, there was a long line
of volunteers. Jan-3 and I interviewed each person and carefully
selected the most qualified. When our selections were made, we
truly had a crew of the very best in each field.

* * *

The crew worked for days preparing the tools
and materials needed. The engineering department worked day and
night building the keri. It had to be big enough to provide comfort
and privacy for the crew, and stocked with the best emergency
equipment available.

Jan-3 and I spent hours each day in the
astronomy department, going over the hundreds of planets on which
humans might be able to live. More than a thousand years ago,
astronomers estimated that there were more than 400 billion solar
systems in the Milky Way alone; the first planets outside our solar
system had been discovered as far back as 1996. Later, astronomers
determined that planetary systems orbited most of those suns.
Hundreds of billions of solar systems were to be examined. The
thirty-first century astronomy department had instruments with
which they had taken readings and determined the size of millions
of the planets and the temperature, atmospheric pressure, type and
content of the gases that made up the atmosphere. The astronomers
had noted which planets had oceans of water and polar ice. They
knew which planets had vegetation and had determined the length of
each planet’s days and years.

Not all the planets had moons, but some had
moons similar to Earth, and some had multiple moons. The
astronomers had estimated how much gravitational pressure a human
would have to endure to live on each planet, and they had compiled
a list of planets they recommended we examine. The astronomer we
chose as a crew member was highly respected by his colleagues.

The astronomy department was tantalized by
the information they had previously obtained, but it had been
impossible for them to reach even the closest planet. The distance
was too great, and the time required for the journey was too
long—sending a signal to a planet and then receiving a reply took
years. But we had found a way to travel without time delay, and
everybody in the department was excited. Many wanted to be a part
of the expedition and be among the first to explore a new
planet.

Jan-3 and I met with our crew each night
after work and discussed every possible emergency condition that we
could imagine. We briefed them thoroughly on what to expect on
their first journey through time.

At last, our keri was ready. The necessary
tools and supplies were on board, and it was time to go. We
reported to the Council, “We’re ready.”

The celebration of our departure was to be
held in a natural amphitheater prepared specially for the occasion
in the mountains of Greece. That country was selected because it
was one of the important centers of early human civilization.
Millions attended. Jan-3’s beauty reminded them of their legendary
Helen of Troy.

The story of our fight with the Lōōg on
planet Ergo had spread around the world, and we were heroes. The
entire crew of the keri was heroes, because we were the first
humans to venture into deep space. Our images were displayed on
viewing screens, and everybody wanted to hear us speak.

As leader of the expedition, I addressed the
viewers, “Thank you for your support and thank you for this great
honor. It is appropriate that we should leave from the site where
the ancient gods of Greece came down and joined with women to make
humans the descendants of the gods. Of course, those old beliefs
are no longer acceptable to most, but perhaps, just perhaps, there
are things we are yet to learn. It is time for us to depart. We
will return—if we are successful—with new hope for humans.”

With those remarks, the crew boarded the
keri. We had already decided what our destination would be. It was
a planet almost identical to Earth that orbited in the Ursa Major
solar system. The astronomers had named it, but the honor of
renaming it was given to the crew. We agreed to call it Etu, symbol
for Earth-2. The name would identify it as a home for Earth-like
humans.

* * * * *

Chapter 27

I asked the crew, “Are you ready?” With
excited anticipation, they all nodded yes. Jan-3 smiled, as I
concentrated my thoughts on a certain planet, and rubbed the red
portion of the button. Next, we were aware of looking through the
viewing plate of our keri at a countryside of rolling hills with
green vegetation, and clear-running streams. Grazing animals beyond
number covered the hillsides, and colorful birds filled the
sky.

“I had dreams of what this planet might be,
but this exceeds my wildest dreams,” Jan-3 murmured.

Everyone wanted to start exploring right
away, but I withheld approval until we had all accomplished the
tasks we were selected to do.

I said, “Taki-4, as our chemist, will you
confirm that the air, water, and soil are safe?” Then I turned to
Rina-5. “Rina-5, please determine that radiation levels are safe.
Cord-1, as our astronomer, will you confirm that we have arrived at
the planet we selected? . . . After each of you have performed your
duties, and made the determination that it is safe,
then
we
will step out upon this planet and begin exploring.”

Angie-2 said, “As life forms specialist, I
recommend we each keep our stun guns and space travel buttons
handy. With that many grazing animals, there are certain to be
predators. We must be prepared for a surprise attack, and I also
recommend that we each wear our protective clothing in case we
encounter poisonous insects or venomous reptiles.”

“Those are good recommendations,” I agreed,
as I placed my stun gun in my shoulder holster. “We will all
comply. Does anyone else have anything to report?”

Lani, the geologist, reported, “The air is
two percent more dense than it is on Earth, and the oxygen level is
slightly elevated—but it’s safe.”

Jan-3, always ready for adventure, said, “If
no one else has anything to report, I recommend that we walk upon
Etu and see if it’s suitable for humans.”

As a group, we stepped from the keri onto
Etu. The ground was firm, with a slightly spongy feel, probably due
to decayed plant matter.

I grasped a hand full of dirt and said, “This
is fertile soil.” I removed my head cover to test the air.
“Farmers, like my father and grandfather, would like it here. This
grass would be good for cattle.” I was eager to test the quality of
the water. Taki-4 was already testing it when Jan-3 and I reached
the stream.

“The water is safe,” he said, “and it has a
healthy spectrum of minerals.”

“We’ve got a good crew,” Jan-3 whispered, as
she dipped her hand into the water to taste it, a reptile,
camouflaged by its green-and-black color, slithered away into the
grass. Jan-3 was startled and a little frightened. “Do you think it
was venomous?” she asked.

“I’ll stun it and test it,” Angie-2 said, as
she started into the grass to search for the reptile.

“Wait!” Jan-3 said “We have no idea what else
might be hidden in that grass. We’ll find other reptiles to
test.”

“Thank you. That was careless of me,” Angie-2
said, as she hugged Jan-3. “Let’s form a buddy system” she said,
“so each person is in constant contact with someone else.”

“If you find fruit,” Rina-5 said, “don’t eat
it until I’ve had a chance to test it.”

“Then let’s pair off and move out in
different directions,” I suggested, “so keep your communicators
open. Call if you run into trouble. We’ll meet back here in four
hours. Now, be careful. Jan-3 and I will follow the stream. I want
to explore those mountains.” I pointed to some craggy cliffs. Since
Jan-3 and I were vigorous as teenagers, with the strength of
adults, we moved quickly.

Vibrant red, yellow, and blue aromatic
flowers blossomed among thorn-less vines and trees. Many trees had
umbrella-shaped canopies with branches shading hundreds of square
meters. Birds of many sizes and shapes, some as colorful as Earth’s
parrots, glided through the air and sat on the tree branches.
Humming and chirping insects fed upon the foliage and provided food
for the birds.

“Oh, Gus,” Jan-3 exclaimed, “this place is
wonderful!”

“I agree.” Then I scanned the cliffs ahead
and saw something troubling. It was a nest, larger than any I had
ever seen, and it seemed to be built from the skins of animals.
“I’ll keep my eyes open for the predator that built that nest,” I
muttered to myself.

Jan-3 had wandered off into the trees to
gather fruit, and I couldn’t see her, so I called out. When she
didn’t answer, I ran into the trees, looking for her. She had
climbed a tree to pick a pink peach-like fruit with a wonderful
aroma.

“I’ll heed Angie-2’s warning,” she said, “and
take this back to be tested before I taste it. I hope it will
remain fresh—it looks and smells delicious.”

“Jan-3, you gave me quite a scare. Please
don’t wander off like that without telling me where you’re
going.”

“Don’t worry,” she said, “There’s nothing
here to harm us.”