Galactic Earth (17 page)

“Right,” she said readily.

“Ready? Now,” said Eric.

Layla did so, and felt a faint electrical surge. The security system recognized it and granted access.

“Yes, Eric you’re a genius, thank you!” Layla said.

“Any ti-,” Layla hung up before Eric finished.

She slowly opened the door making an eerie creaking sound. She had no idea what to expect, but proceeded cautiously up the stairs. Old fashion oil lamps were lit lighting the way.

I’m going to get to the bottom of this, she thought.

Suddenly, a loud tone was heard nearly changing Layla’s skin to a bluish white color. Frightened, she let out a short scream echoing up the staircase. The glowing eyes of a feline revealed the culprit. She stepped on other keys playing a horrible tune and leaped off, dashing away into the darkness. Layla let out a breath of relief.

“There’s no way Gudama is a suit, I saw the ship and I’m going to prove it,” she said firing herself up. With bold motivated steps and clenched fists, Layla marched all the way up the lighthouse, dropping about three pounds upon completion.

At the top she found the look out. The sound of the waves soothed her soul. She took a moment to enjoy the experience. A telescope was there by the edge. Layla decided to take a look.

“Wow,” she said slowly, admiring the galactic infinity. The instrument was already centered on a particular galaxy with remarkable clarity unlike anything she had ever seen on the internet. She noticed there were adjustable clicks on the rotator that appeared to have been preset already. She viewed through each saved coordinate and saw the planets with superhuman sharpness.

“Holy moly,” she said, amazed at what she saw.

On the last notch, she bent over and took a peak. She screamed at the new sight the scope revealed and retracted.

“Oh my God,” Layla said stepping backwards.

Did I just see what I think I saw, she thought?

“My God, they’re real,” she said covering her mouth.

Just then a sound was heard back inside, rattling Layla like a scared rabbit. Carefully, she returned into the building, but nothing could be seen. Someone had blown out all the lamps.

“Who’s there, hello?” she called out into the darkness.

Unfriendly steps were heard echoing throughout the infrastructure disguising the true originator’s location. With quick gasps, Layla looked for an escape as the sounds grew louder. She looked for a way out outside at the top balcony. There was nothing other than the telescope and safety bars. Fear filled her lungs as she crouched down looking down holding the bar. She suspected the cop had followed her.

A terrible gaze wiped her face as her ears picked up louder signals from the steps. Her expression was one of panic as she shook in terror from the sounds of her approaching mystery. Just like that, the footsteps stopped. Slightly relieved yet puzzled, Layla turned and waited a few moments. She crept back inside using the light from her IPhone as a guide. No reception was available as she contemplated calling for help. With big slow strides, Layla looked for what she didn’t know she was searching for. She remained frozen in time, listening to the silence randomly interrupted by the various rustles made by the stairs, wind, waves, and other unknown objects. A light swift breeze was felt behind her. She gasped and quickly turned around, seeing the opening to the balcony where the telescope was.

“Gudama?” she said.

With steps like a ninja, Layla steadily made her way closer to the balcony opening. Her heart was beating faster, and her breathing was short and out of rhythm as her body pumped adrenaline perspiring to retain some sort of composure. The closer she got to the opening of the balcony, the harder it became to continue as her suspicion of a powerful presence made her want to drop to her knees.

Submission to a great unknown life force pressured her into giving up, but she fought to go further, tears running down from her gem like eyes to her rosy cheeks and lips.

“What are you doing?” said a commanding voice behind her.

A tall strong looking man holding a lantern came closer awaiting her response. Layla filled with fear could barely breathe, she took loud rapid breaths.

“S-S-S-Stay back!” she warned taking a horse stance.

Her threatening gesture didn’t faze the man as he drew nearer to her. Layla let out a battle cry and struck the man with sloppy form. Her strike was caught as the man grabbed her wrist putting an end to her attack. She felt like it was a machine vice.

“Who are you?” said the man.

The lantern revealed a long blond haired man with chiseled features. His well-developed chin being the most attractive.

“L-L-Layla, I’m a reporter.”

“What are you doing here, how did you get in?”

“I-I-I came for an interview,” she said trying to smile.

The man let her go. Layla took a couple steps back.

“Tours end at six, why have you come here?”

“I was looking for someone, the owner of this email address,” Layla said showing her IPhone.

The man’s eyes darted at the screen, then back at her.

“Who sent you?” he said with a grim expression.

“Nobody, just me…are you Gudama?” she said hesitantly knowing her man has dark hair.

“No, you have the wrong address. Now leave,” the muscular blonde man said moving aside for her.

Curious, Layla wanted more information.

“Do you know who this address belo-?”

“No, this is a lighthouse. I have never heard of this name nor know of anything. Now, please exit the building,” he said cutting her off in a shrewd tone.

This guys a stump, like a stone, she thought.

“Where did you get that telescope? I have never seen one with such clarity.”

The man growled. Layla swallowed some saliva making a gulping sound.

“Did you look through the telescope?” he said angrily.

“Ah no, I just, well maybe a quick look,” she said with surrendering hands backing away.

“That telescope is off limits. Tell me what you saw?” he accusingly said slowing stepping closer to her.

“Nothing much just stars lots and lots of stars. It’s a big universe out there, ha, ha,” she said backing off.

“Oh, are you sure? Nothing of interest, nothing out of the ordinary?” he interrogated, engaging her closer.

Layla slowly shook her head.

“Explain. Precisely, what did you see?” the irritated man asked.

Flashes of memory popped up in her head. Layla was now near the opening to the balcony lookout.

“I don’t know what I saw ok! I saw planets, I saw stars, and then something I….can’t say!” Layla admitted, bursting with tears.

“You saw them didn’t you, you liar, you’re with the government aren’t you?” he questioned.

“Absolutely not, you must believe me. I have no idea what just happened, you tell me what I saw!” Layla pleaded stepping back.

Her brother’s badge fell to the floor rolling right in front of the muscled man.

“Tell me, you stupid fool!” the man said ready to attack her.

“Please, I mean you no harm,” said Layla.

The man let out a battle cry and charged at her. Layla scared like she’s never been, screamed while holding out her hands shutting her eyes.

“Luke stop!” said a more powerful commanding voice behind Layla.

She turned around and bumped into what felt like a giant statue of marble, dropping to the floor. Luke stopped in his tracks.

“It’s ok, she’s finally arrived,” said the new voice.

“Her?” Luke said surprised.

Layla breathing shallow slowly looked up at the tall shadowed figure not being able to see who it was.

“Who are you?”

The man stepped forward, the light from Luke’s lantern reaching his face.

“I’ am Gudama.”

Breathing had paused as Layla’s eyes widened while cautiously getting up. With big opened eyeballs, she looked closer to see his face. She recognized him from his global message. The chiseled face, dark long locks, royal looking space outfit, and perfectly groomed facial hair, all of his features matched.

“Oh my God sir, it is truly an honor. My name is Layla Lolland,” she said extending her hand.

“Yes, I’ve been expecting you,” he said cordially shaking her hand.

“Expecting?” she stuttered from his magnetic grip.

“Of course, you are the one who sent those internet messages,” Gudama replied.

“Oh yes, I emailed you several times and thought maybe you never-“

“Yes, yes, I don’t respond often these days, don’t want the government and others knowing of my whereabouts,” he said gesturing.

Gudama turned around with his hands folded behind him looking outside.

“How can you trust her?” Luke said.

Gudama raised a hand dissolving Luke’s accusation. Layla was amazed.

“But how did you know I was coming?”

“After you sent all those messages, I got a feel for your energy…I suspected you would search for me. I just didn’t think you’d be so successful.”

“Sorry if I caused any trouble,” she said apologetically.

Gudama motioned to follow him on the balcony.

Layla went with him. Gudama gazed up at the stars while the moonlight reflected on his face.

“See them? This is your proof of infinite possibility. Such truths like this exist all over your planet. Love, friendship, knowledge, it’s all right in front of you, but your race chooses greed, segregation, and secrecy.”

“We’re not all like that,” Layla said taking a little offense.

“Heh, I know. That’s why I’ve come.”

“So what now,” Layla asked?

“You have come here, so that makes you our guest. Would you like some tea?”

Layla looked at him surprised, “Sure.”

Downstairs in the lounge room, Gudama and Layla enjoyed herbal tea together served by Luke. Layla complimented on the potency and taste of his tea, stating it was the best she’s ever had and how she’s hooked on the whole healthy holistic living philosophy. Gudama simply smiled and nodded to her rambling, acknowledging her comments. After tea, Gudama requested Luke to take away the cups and leave them in privacy.

“Yes sir,” Luke said taking a quick look at Layla.

“Rest Luke, you’ve worked hard enough tonight.”

They waited for Luke to leave, listening to his bold footsteps slowly disappear.

“I don’t think he likes me,” said Layla smiling.

“He’s just very suspicious. We don’t have many late night guests,” Gudama replied returning her smile.

Layla admired his manly good looks. She checked him out head to toe seeing his otherworldly outfit and incredible musculature.

Wow, he’s more handsome than I imagined him to be, she thought.

Gudama cleared his throat, returning Layla from her fantasy.

“That’s a nice looking wristlet,” Layla complimented pointing at his forearm.

“Thank you, it comes in handy,” he said.

“What does it do?”

“Many things, controlling my ship, galactic contact, various things one needs when traveling to another planet,” Gudama said looking at it.

“Does it have a cool laser for zapping your enemies?” she jokingly asked.

“Err something like that,” Gudama said hesitantly nodding with a flexed forehead.

“Oh, I spoke with Rohan. He wanted me to warn you of his brother and-”

“It’s ok, I already know from his emails,” said Gudama raising his hand, “That’s why I purposely had a select number of copies printed and shipped out. My intention was to get the book out there in bulk, so once it was already circulating in the market, little could be done to interfere with its availability to the masses. Besides, I’m sure many will upload it freely on the internet,” he said with his hands folded behind him.

“But how did you pay them?” she asked.

Gudama took out a handful of gems from his utility belt, “I gave them some of these.”

“Wow, are those rubies? I’ve never seen ones like those before,” she said leaning closer in amazement with saucer wide eyes, “I can help you, I work for an independent news press with my friends. I mostly stick with reporting and they handle the business side, but I can get your message out there unedited,” a lively Layla said.

“I know, you explained that in quite detail in your lengthy emails,” Gudama said returning back to a normal position. Layla blushed embarrassed.

Noticing her necklace, Gudama pointed at her chain.

“Christian.”

“Huh?”

“You’re a Christian,” he commented.

“Oh right, yea, born and raised,” she said laughing while holding her cross.

Gudama simply smiled.