Illuminated Knights

By Brian Bresee

A one-day space tour...

Alexander Miles ("Milo") Bidswell thought it would be a fascinating experience. Little did he know that it would lead to unexpected events that would significantly change his life of immense wealth and privilege.

Exploring new love leads him to discover that family secrets have shrouded his whole life. What he learns reveals great mysteries and forbidden knowledge, complicating what he thought was a simple life and impacting the new relationship he is pursuing.

His amazing odyssey takes him 'out of this world' while seeking the secrets of levitation, experiencing what he never thought possible. What awaits Milo is not for the weak-minded. Who will walk with Milo?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Bresee
• Release date: Sep 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9780988376601

Book preview

Illuminated Knights

A novel by

Brian Bresee

Copyright © 2012 Brian Bresee

Published by Brian K. Bresee at Smashwords

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9883766-0-1

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to those who work toward a better world for all

while maintaining a respect for life.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Good parents are often the beginning of success for an author, or any other endeavor. I thank my parents for their examples as free thinkers, never discouraging me from asking a question too big or suggesting I remain within established boundaries of thought. The example of their work ethic lifted me to achieve all the successes I have found in life, including the completion of Illuminated Knights.

I thank my wife, Theresa, who has been a key to my accomplishments. Her encouragement and support has allowed me to work on and complete Illuminated Knights, as it has taken much of my time to complete. She is my best friend, always there to bounce ideas off of as I wrote.

I thank my five children: Samuel, Jaina, Jeremiah, James, and Sara. They were very patient with their dad as he spent much time finishing Illuminated Knights, always positive while their dad worked on his book.

Many thanks to Carol von Raesfeld (The von Raesfeld Agency) for her editing assistance, support, and encouragement. She was always a professional and her gentle spirit made working together on Illuminated Knights a delight.

Many thanks to a friend Patrick Walkey for his ability to take my vision and make it even better, surprising me again with his work on the cover of Illuminated Knights.

Thanks to Robert Miller for his input on the cover.

And finally, endless thanks for the many great writers, inventors, and thinkers upon whose shoulders I stood to envision and complete Illuminated Knights.

One

A Life Changing Journey

The date we marked on our calendar months earlier had finally arrived, bringing with it the start of a memorable time in my life. The gentle warmth of a clear, spring day filled the air as I stood with my parents, watching the sun appear over the distant peaks. We were anxious to get started on what would be an unforgettable day in our lives.

It’s almost 7 o’ clock! Why haven’t they opened the doors? my father asked, glancing at his watch again. He didn’t like to be kept waiting. Space Journeys’ facility was supposed to open at 7:00 a.m. Eager to get started on this long-awaited adventure, my father made sure that we arrived early.

Recent advances in space travel achieved by private industry allowed the affluent to partake of an experience once reserved for the military’s anointed. It was my father’s childhood dream to float in space like the astronauts he had watched on TV. Fulfillment of that dream was finally within his reach and our family’s wealth allowed my mother and me to experience it with him.

My mother is very different than my father. She seemed in no hurry for this day to come. With her Bible in hand, she had made preparations of a different nature. I could see the concern on her face, watching her lips barely move as she uttered her quiet prayer. She focused her passion on God and her family. I smiled, remembering what she’d said to my father when he told her about this place and what he wanted to do. If you’re going to meet my God, you’re not going to do it without me.

I see someone coming, my father announced with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. He glowed with enthusiasm.

* * *

An attractive young woman arrived and opened the doors. Welcome to Space Journeys’ facility!

As soon as we were inside, I noticed that the building still smelled like a brand new building. Space Journeys’ facility had opened its doors only three months earlier. Our family would be one of the first to experience a space tour.

We’re fully booked for today’s journey. All twenty seats are filled. We will need the forms your doctor completed during your checkup in order to get started, the hostess informed us.

We each presented our forms, which cleared us to begin our preparations. A staff member appeared and led us to a room containing spacesuits of all sizes.

Please find a suit that fits you and put it on. The suit you choose will be yours to keep as a souvenir of today’s adventure. Suits for the men are to the right and suits for the women are to the left. Be sure to use the restroom before suiting up. Once you’re suited up, the only method to relieve yourself will be using the vacuum attachment built into the suit. Any questions?

Other passengers entered the suit room as we were trying on our suits. As space initiates, I realized I’d likely never forget the people who would be sharing this experience with me. An atmosphere of giddy excitement filled the room—a type of energy not typical of wealthy people.

Are you ready for the big ride? another passenger asked me.

Of course, I am, I replied with equal enthusiasm.

I felt an instant camaraderie with all of the passengers entering the suit room. We already shared a common bond of wealth, yet the normal jockeying for status was absent.

Within a short time, I discovered that many of the other passengers came from other countries around the world and spoke many languages. I was glad that I had taken some courses in universal sign language. World leaders had signed an international treaty making it the first global language, since it was found to be easier to bridge the language barrier. I was delighted to have an opportunity to have a real-life situation in which to practice what I had learned. During my very brief signed conversations, I met Chinese and Japanese businessmen, the son of an Arab sheik, a wealthy Colombian trader, a Swiss banker, and a South African mine owner. Time ran out before I could meet the rest.

At 21 years old, I was the youngest in the group. Most of the other passengers looked like successful, middle-age to older men. An anomaly in this pattern emerged as one of the last passengers to arrive entered the suit room. Wow! She’s hot!

The young woman followed a man into the room, who I assumed was her father. Her beauty was stunning. Wealth had groomed her well, with the occasion seeming to enhance her attractiveness. Blessed genes had given her curves and proportions that proclaimed fertility. I perceived an innocence in her eyes that charmed my heart. I had never before had a reaction like this to anyone. The simple camaraderie I’d felt earlier now seemed complex.

In that moment I felt grateful for the wisdom my father imparted to me when I entered my teen years and became interested in girls. I was certain it would help me now.

Hello, I said as soon as she was near enough to hear me.

Hello, she said, returning my greeting with a smile.

After exchanging greetings, I listened carefully as she spoke with the man I assumed to be her father. The sound of her voice captured my imagination. She was obviously well-spoken. Her soft, gentle tone intrigued me in a way that I had not previously experienced. Our brief exchange did not go unnoticed by my father. He gave me a subtle wink of approval—a message I could not fail to understand. Although my father possessed calculated, impatient tendencies, he always knew how to make me smile in moments like this one. It offered me the rare chance to see another side of him—that of a free spirit. Over the last few years there had been a slow, but steady transition in our relationship, changing from one of a father training his son to one of respect and communication between two men.

What were you looking at, son? he joked as we made our way into the men’s dressing rooms.

Before I could answer, a male attendant came in to help us suit up and to ensure that everything fit properly. Once we were ready, he pointed to a door. "That’s where the pre-flight instruction class will be given. Go in and sit down. The others will be in shortly.

While waiting for my mother to join us, my father and I sat in the classroom discussing our mutual interests in science. My research was focused on trying to discover the secrets of levitation. My father provided financial support for it, but he was also interested in hearing about whatever I’d learned. Have any of your recent studies at Princeton helped you with your levitation project? he asked.

My father is a world renowned scientist. He’d made a fortune from the patents for an extremely light, extremely strong metallic/ceramic compound. The compound had unique properties—the ability to withstand extremely high temperatures and a resistance to radiation. Space Journeys incorporated his compound in the design of their spacecrafts.

Our conversation was cut short when my mother entered the classroom. Someone was with her—the young woman I’d greeted earlier.

John, Milo, have you met Candra? she asked.

My father responded, It’s very nice to meet you, Candra.

I offered a gentle smile. Yes, Mom, we said hello earlier. My name’s Alexander, but family and friends call me Milo.

Candra’s father founded Knowvid.com. She’s finishing up her first year at Arizona State University this year, working towards a political science degree, my mother added. They both took seats next to us.

A moment later, Candra’s father entered the room. Candra rose to greet him and then made the introductions.

Dad, this is Ellen, John, and Milo Bidswell, she said, nodding toward each of us as she said our names.

The captain of the spacecraft interrupted our introduction as he entered the room.

"Welcome to Space Journeys. I am Captain Jameson, the commander of Naki’s Dream—the spacecraft in which we will be traveling today. Let me assure you that the ship passed many tests before we put it into service for space tourism. In this class you will be given instructions on how to handle the effects of weightlessness, how to use your space suit, what to do in the event of an emergency, and so forth."

One hour later, he said, If there are no more questions, let’s begin boarding.

* * *

The Captain’s instruction to board caused my stomach to tingle—a little fear mixed with excitement—similar to what I felt before going on my first roller coaster ride. I was aware of the dangers involved in traveling into space, but the rarity of opportunity overcame my apprehension.

My sense of awe increased as we walked toward the spacecraft and each detail became clearer. Its angles, lines, and engineering appealed to me, even more than pictures I’d seen could convey. The craft radiated a sense of power with its high-speed design usually reserved for military aircraft. The large size of this space vessel was more impressive than the military planes I’d seen.

Unlike the piggyback spacecraft used in the past, this craft integrated seamlessly with the carrying craft. The literature I’d read said this design feature allowed the carrying craft to reach much higher speeds near the stratosphere before separation. This reduced the amount of fuel needed to be aboard the craft to put it into orbit.

Another article I’d read explained the challenge of keeping the host plane stable after separation. It described features of the host plane which engineers added to overcome the forces produced by high speeds.

My father shared the appreciation I felt for the vehicle in front of us. It looks beautiful in such large amounts, my father muttered, trying to check his emotions. The skin of the craft was made from the material he’d invented, making this journey even more special to him.

As we entered the craft, I noticed seating that was similar to that of a commercial passenger jet. It had two seats by the windows and an aisle in the middle for each row. Toward the back of the craft, there was an area with no seats, designed for use once the craft reached an orbit.

I knew my parents would sit next to each other. I wondered who would sit next to me. I soon discovered that Deron, the man I’d spoken to in the dressing room, was a co-founder of Knowvid.com, Candra’s father’s company. They were very close friends. He told me they had gone to high school and college together and like my father, when they were kids they’d dreamed about going into space.

Candra, why don’t you sit next to Milo? her father suggested. He sat down next to Deron.

I usually felt at ease talking to girls, but Candra’s presence made me feel a little nervous, but also excited. My mind raced to think of something intelligent to say. I felt like I was up to bat, but allowed to take only one swing at the ball.

Act too nice and she’ll think you’re a puppy dog. Appear defensive or too aloof and you’ll come across as a jerk, I reminded myself. I could hear my mother’s words flowing through my mind. Just be her friend first.

My mother always gave me good advice, so I decided to follow her counsel.

Hello again, Candra, I said calmly when she sat down next to me. It looks like we’ll be hanging out together for a while.

Yes, it does, she replied in her soft voice and then added, Deron and my dad are best friends. They’ve been planning this trip a long time—just two old buddies living out their dream together. I think Dad invited me as an afterthought when he couldn’t convince my mom to come.

They sound like my father. He’s been acting like a little kid for a month, like he’s counting down the days to Christmas. But it’s given my mother and me a good chuckle or two watching him carry on.

Big rich boys with an expensive new toy, Candra joked. We both laughed.

I felt my initial tension ease as I joked with Candra. She certainly didn’t have a high maintenance attitude to go with her good looks, nor did her soft voice gush like that of an emotional creature who is looking to get her feelings hurt.

My second impression about Candra induced thoughts of a confident, charming young woman with a good sense of humor, tinged with an amusing bit of sassiness. With each passing moment it became easier to follow my mother’s advice. Our conversation was effortless, making me feel like Candra and I were already old friends.

We’d only been waiting for a couple of minutes when we felt the spacecraft move as the tow vehicle pulled the spacecraft out to the runway. The ride to the runway felt much like that of a large commercial passenger jet, but quieter since the craft was towed all the way to the takeoff point.

We will be taking off soon, Captain Jameson announced over the intercom.

Everyone cheered. Hooray!

I peered out the window, looking at different types of military aircraft that were at a distance. The government allowed Space Journeys’ facility to be built on a military base as a means of helping to develop private space travel and also as a contractor to supply the International Space Station. Use of the base also included access to a very long runway built for high-speed aircraft.

The tow seemed to take forever, I’m sure because we were all so excited, but also because we had to travel so much farther than a commercial airliner does in order to have enough distance in which to take off.

During this time, I didn’t hear a peep from anyone. I thought about my life—the good times and the bad, reflecting on what I’d done right and what I might have done better or differently. I also thought about Candra and what might come of our time together today.

At last the craft came to a stop. The wait continued as the ground crew made its final inspection of the systems and equipment. I looked over at my parents and thought about our family and the time we’d spent together. My father still had the same glow of enthusiasm as he had earlier in the day. My mother saw me looking at them and smiled. Her countenance was always one of serenity and contentment. All she cared about was being with her family, sharing our love for each other.

We’re cleared for takeoff, announced the captain.

A loud roar filled the cabin as the host craft engines were started. There were also vibrations like I’d never felt on a commercial airliner. After a couple of minutes, the craft commenced its takeoff.

Other than the vibrations and loud roar, the initial takeoff felt just like any other aircraft. I saw the desert floor below, then green mountains as we ascended. It took only a few minutes before this became a unique moment inasmuch as the craft’s greater speed got us off of the ground at a much faster rate. Candra leaned over me to look out of the window. Although innocent in nature, I liked feeling her closeness. I enjoyed watching her reactions to the experience.

Soon after, what I had expected occurred—the curvature of the earth came into view.

Prepare for craft separation in sixty seconds, the captain announced.

All of the passengers sat back in their seats and prepared for the intense G-forces we were told to expect.

I heard a loud clank of separation, followed by an even greater vibration and roar coming from the spacecraft’s engines. I felt my lunch changing directions as the Captain warned us might happen, but suppressed the urge to vomit using the instructions given to us earlier. During this moment of heaviness caused by the rate of acceleration, I looked out the window. I saw nothing but blackness, yet light still came through the window.

It didn’t take long before the feeling of weightlessness started to set in and the vibrations began to calm. It seemed as if laughing gas had filled the cabin. The stress of moments earlier turned to chuckles and cheers. It felt like the start of a festive celebration. Hearing my father’s giddiness brought a contagious laugh to my mother and me. Candra’s soft chuckle enhanced my sense of pleasure regarding her presence.

It will take just a few more minutes before we settle into a final orbit, the Captain announced.

I looked out the window and could see the Earth. A profound stillness settled upon me, changing how I thought about my life. In a way photographs cannot convey, I absorbed the sight of the Earth and its size from