Seeking The Heavens

By Jeffrey Hendricks

In a world where Earth's Ionosphere is in a constant state of turmoil, a young inventor embarks on an unlikely journey looking for his missing scientist father. He finds more than he bargained for, and in the process learns about forgiveness, loyalty, and courage. This novel has action, light romance, humor, and intrigue in a captivating retro-futuristic setting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeffrey Hendricks
• Release date: Jan 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458172105

Jeffrey Hendricks

Jeff was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1974 in the back seat of a Chevrolet. He shares his little spare time with his wife and 4 children. He is an accomplished musician, an avid tinkerer, and won his first literary award when he was twelve. Jeff currently lives near Thibodaux, Louisiana, and says the food there is second to none.

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Seeking The Heavens

by Jeffrey Hendricks

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Jeffrey Hendricks

http://jeffhendricks.net

http://smashwords.com

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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

This book is the product of many hours slaving away at the word processor when I didn't always feel like it. Even though I wrote every word, it would never have happened without the inspiration and support of many wonderful people, not the least of which is my wife, Debbie. I have to thank NaNoWriMo.org (the National Novel Writing Month) for giving me the crazy idea that I had the time to write a book (I didn't) and that it was easier than I thought (it wasn't). I'm also eternally grateful to my fellow writer, brother, musician, friend, and geek, Blake Petit. If it weren't for all of my friends and their friends, you wouldn't be reading this. I'm also thankful for Dan Grossman and his work at Airships.net archiving the history of lighter-than-air craft.

Thank you.

Chapter 1

The shock wave hit Jaiden like an invisible backhand. He staggered back several steps, unable to catch his breath. Bits of dirt and rock pelted everything around him, sounding like rainfall on a metal roof. Slowly, the noises subsided, and the workshop settled into silence. Once he had determined he hadn't lost any bits of himself, he opened his eyes and looked around.

After a few seconds, Jaiden released his breath and turned back to his work. Laid out on the table before him was a pile of metal bits and pieces that vaguely resembled a machine of some sort. It didn't look like he had spent days building it. Nothing was left except twisted chunks of brass and splinters of wood. Jaiden sighed and ran his fingers through his unkempt mop of brown hair. He chewed on his lip in thought.

I'm sure something is binding somewhere. He peered closer to the remains of sprockets and gears in front of him, and poked here and there with his index finger. Hmmmm, he grumbled. I just can't see anything I missed, and now I've ruined another set of pneumatics.

With another sigh of frustration, he spun around, approached the window, and looked upwards to the broiling clouds in the sky. Booming thunder rolled across the countryside, echoing to and fro. Every so often, a low rumble would emanate from nowhere, reminding the people living nearby that they were not in charge of the earth around them. To those who heard it, the thunder was the background to a world of dreariness, a stage backdrop to the dull droning of life. For almost one hundred years, the Earth had lived in the grip of what some would call a more devastating holocaust than could ever have been perpetrated by man.

But Jaiden Thompson had just turned twenty, and had no recollections of what life was like prior to the Broken Sky. Every great now and then, the clouds would part and he could see the Aurora Borealis layer just above the cirrus clouds. But as beautiful as it was, Jaiden had no desire to sit and watch. He glanced at his wristwatch, noted the time, and gave it a quick couple of winds to keep it running. He hastily threw a heavy canvas sheet over what was left of the machine. He was too frustrated to continue for now. The wind outside was picking up more so than usual, so he wheeled his old bicycle from behind the workshop, swung his leg over it, and giving it a good push rode down the dirt path to his home.

The path rolled around the hill and through a small grove of evergreen trees, where it turned and opened into a large grassy clearing. On the other side of the clearing was a very old house, complete with a patchwork picket fence that obviously didn't keep anything in or out. The house was quite comfy, though it dated back more than a hundred years. Some things, his mother often told him, get better with age.

Jaiden rode through the open gate, swept himself off the bike, and parked it under the eaves in one smooth motion. Within a few steps he had reached the door, which he flung open and stepped through.

In the dim parlor of the old house was a large fireplace surrounded with green slate and brass accents. A small fire crackled lazily, shedding some light and warmth to the room. Facing the hearth were two large winged-back leather chairs, though they were not a matching pair. Regardless, Jaiden plopped himself into one and closed his eyes, taking a moment to simply relax and think about something besides his troubling project. As he mulled, a voice like a bell drifted into the room from somewhere in the kitchen.

Jaiden, is that you? Are you home?

Yes, mother, I'm back. Jaiden smiled a little. His mother knew exactly who it was.

I picked some onions in the garden today, so I thought I'd make some stew. There was a slight pause. Would you like some?

Yes, mother, that would be wonderful, he replied. Jaiden only had a few hours until nightfall. Once it was dark, he would need all the rest and energy he could get.

How is your project going? Helen asked.

Not well at all, Jaiden replied. I blew up another air motor. I'm going to have to start over again.

Are you okay?

Yes, mother, I'm fine, Jaiden sighed. Just frustrated, that's all.

As he sat before the fireplace, his head filled with sounds from all around him. His heartbeat intermingled with peals of thunder, and occasional pops from the dying embers in the fireplace. Happy clattering noises emanated from the kitchen as his mother prepared dinner. He closed his eyes and absorbed it all in deeply. The smells of the old house, the musty air, the noises, the feel of the old leather chair, the warmth of the fireplace, all blended into a soothing restful rhythm. Without realizing it, Jaiden drifted off to sleep.

Thirty minutes later Jaiden awoke from his slumber. The fire had died down to nothing, and an evening chill had begun setting into the den. His dreams had been vivid enough that his heart was still racing.

Jaiden, dinner's ready, his mother, Helen, called from the kitchen. Delicious smells of well-seasoned stew wafted past Jaiden's nose. His stomach grumbled to remind him he hadn't eaten in a while. Stiffly, he stood and stretched. With large blinks to clear his eyes, Jaiden made his way to the kitchen table where a steaming bowl of dinner was waiting for him.

As he sat down, his mother sighed and smiled. She was a very plain woman, but had the face of someone much prettier, if only she'd care to notice. A few locks of her long, light brown hair fell in curls around her temples, but the rest was twisted into a bun and held in place with a large pin. She absentmindedly tucked a curl behind her ear, wiped her hands on her apron, and sat down at the table across from Jaiden.

Sweetheart, are you feeling okay? she asked. I know you've been spending a lot of hours in the workshop, and I don't want you to exhaust yourself by going out if you don't have to... her voice trailed off as she ate a spoonful of stew, savoring its warmth and flavor.

I'm fine, mother, he said reassuringly. I'm almost done with the project. It'll be finished in a few days, and then we'll have enough money to fix a few things around the house. He ate slowly as he talked, enjoying the bits of meat in the stew. Did you ever get in touch with Mrs. Hathaway? he asked, trying to change the topic. You know she could help you with some of the sewing, she's very good with a needle.

Yes, I know, Helen sighed. I'll try to talk to her the next time I go to town. She took another spoonful of stew, and after swallowing it, pointed her spoon at Jaiden. I know you're going back out tonight, I can see it in your face, she said plainly.

Jaiden rolled his eyes. Yes mother, I was planning on it, he admitted. You know I'm close. It should only take a few more days to find what I need, and then I can put my mind at ease. He made a feeble attempt at a smile, and then turned his attention back to his stew.

What do you think you'll find this time? his mother asked, seemingly honestly. I know you've given me bits of the story, but how much longer will you need to do this?

Jaiden wiped his lips with a napkin, and chewed on his lip in concentration for a moment. Once he had sufficiently gathered his thoughts, he spoke. I know the story of how the sky was broken, back to a certain point, he started. I've been able to find quite a bit of information from long before it, which doesn't help much, and scattered information afterwards, since most notes were taken beforehand with computers that no longer work. He paused for a moment. What I'm looking for, specifically, is the events leading up to it, and what caused it. His gaze dropped, and he added, That's assuming someone actually knew what caused it.

I understand, his mother said reassuringly, and I know it's important to you. But make sure you take care of the things you're responsible for first! She raised an eyebrow at Jaiden, and her lip curled upward into a half-smile. I trust you, Jaiden, but you know I must remind you to be careful.

He smiled back. Of course, mother. I would expect nothing less. He returned her smile with gusto, and gulped down the last bite of stew. Compliments to the chef! he exclaimed as he jumped up from his chair, swung around, and headed back towards the living room.

Don't be out too late! his mother called after him, only half expecting him to hear her. He had heard it many times before. Still, as Helen sat alone at the dinner table, she prayed for his safety.

Jaiden strode into the parlor, grabbed his coat and hat from a rack by the front door, and quickly donned them. His worn wool coat was quite old but served its purpose well. His matching brown crushed felt hat was equally used, and yet looked at home perched atop his head. Jaiden picked up his knapsack from the floor, swung it across his shoulders, and took a deep breath. It was time to go adventuring.

He opened the front door of the house and stepped out into the damp, cold, evening. It was already past dusk, and an eerie quiet had fallen over the sounds of the outdoors. Jaiden glanced around, though his eyes hadn't adjusted yet. He unhooked an old railroad oil lantern from a nail on the porch, checked the wick, and made sure there was plenty of oil in it. When he was satisfied, he pulled a packet of matches from his coat pocket and lit the lamp's wick. It sputtered for a few seconds, then picked up and began burning steadily. Jaiden smiled, stepped off the porch, and straddled his trusty bicycle. He carefully placed the lantern into the basket on the front of the bike and secured it in place with a small cord. With one last deep breath, he was off.

After riding to the end of the lane, Jaiden reached a main roadway. At one time it was a beautiful blacktop highway, but the years had eroded it into not much more than a gravely wide path. He made his way onto the road, turned north and began pedaling, making sure not to hit the larger rocks in the way. The lantern cast flickerish shapes across the way and made it rather difficult to navigate. Jaiden had been making this trip almost every other night for several weeks and had simply trained his eyes to recognize landmarks on the way.

Mile after mile Jaiden pedaled onward, over hills, around dark lamp posts, and through overgrown tunnels. The sky rolled with clouds back lit by the moon, dimly haloed against a stark black background. Occasionally, flickers of lightning would make a freeze frame photograph of the road ahead, and Jaiden would try to retain the image until the next flash. Slowly, turn by turn, Jaiden made his way towards the ghost town. Closer and closer, he could feel its presence, though he could not see it yet. The very thought of the number of people that had died there made cold chills run down his spine. Despite his wool coat, Jaiden shivered, shook his head, and continued pedaling.

Before long, he began to pass signs of civilization. Tattered billboards, road signs overrun with vines, concrete walls being slowly separated by saplings, flocks of dead lamp posts. It felt like a dying, mechanical forest. As Jaiden coasted around the last curve, he came to a small metal bridge that spanned a flowing shallow river. He couldn't see it, but the burbling water was a soothing relief to the deafening silence that seemed to smother the town.

As Jaiden made his way down the road, his mind raced along as well. He was very excited about his destination. On his explorations one day long ago, he had ridden more than twelve miles down the road to find himself in the remains of the nearest city. It had been mostly abandoned, since none of its water, sewerage, or electricity plants were working. People had lived there for a few years out of habit and stubbornness, but eventually even they gave up and moved to smaller communities where things were closer and simpler. The town, once home to thousands of people, now stood empty and desolate. Large stores selling nothing lined the streets. Garbage rotted away in every corner. Crumbling decay was reclaiming what was left of the civilization that once thrived there.

Riding through the edges of town, he concluded that he was now on Main Street. He wasn't sure what the street's actual name was, but it seemed fitting enough. He weaved around large rusted hulks of vehicles that relied on fuel no longer available. He had examined one closely a while ago to see if it had anything of use or any parts that could be pressed into service for one of his mechanical creations. Sadly, the machines were built like sealed clocks, and required tools that he did not have, nor had been successful in finding. Still, he wondered what kind of fascinating technology lie hidden inside those mysterious beasts. Maybe one day he would find out. For tonight, though, he didn't have time.

After another half dozen blocks, he reached his destination. It was an old stucco two-story building with windows on two sides. The front glass doors had long been shattered, though the metal frames were still intact. Jaiden pulled his bike under the covered walkway that stretched around the building. Hopping off the bike, he leaned it against a rusted pole, and untied his lantern from the bike's front basket.

Jaiden quickly glanced around, looking and listening for anything out of the ordinary. When nothing caught his attention, he stepped through the empty door frames and walked ten feet or so inside. The damp rotted smell of decay greeted him and his nose wrinkled in protest, but he knew in a matter of minutes he would no longer notice it.

Stooping near the wall, he dropped his knapsack to the floor and opened the top. Pulling out a medium-sized square metal can, he uncapped it and carefully refilled his lantern's tank. After stowing it away again, Jaiden shouldered the bag. Holding the lantern straight out in front of him, he proceeded to make his way further into the musty building.

Jaiden stepped through the foyer's archway and entered the main room of the building. The ceiling seemed to stretch for miles, though he could only make out what his lantern hinted at. What he could make out never failed to take his breath away. The enormous room was filled, top to bottom, with shelves of books. Over the last hundred years, the humidity and weather had destroyed most of them, and pests had finished off what was left. Most of the covers were still intact, but the millions of pages of information were long since gone.

Jaiden immediately began looking for the stairs to access the second level. Once he had located them, he swiftly ascended and made his way around the perimeter of the building on the raised portion of the second floor.

Towards the rear, Jaiden came to a row of wooden doors, each with a name plaque. He counted down to the sixth one, read the name plaque that boldly proclaimed Microfiche, and entered. The inside walls of the room were lined with wooden cabinets with drawers from the floor to the ceiling. Jaiden sighed deeply and began looking for a certain cabinet.

After only a few seconds of searching, he came across one that looked exactly like all the others, but bore the letters NAS-NAZ. He grabbed the handle of the fourth drawer and pulled it out a full arm's length. Hesitating for a moment, he opened two more adjacent drawers and placed the lantern atop them, just above the drawer he was interested in. Now able to see the contents of the drawer clearly, he started working his way through the hundreds of small envelopes inside, each measuring about four by six inches. He flipped though bunch after bunch, eventually slowing to a crawl and flipping a single one at a time.

After what seemed like hours, he came to a stopping point. He intently stared at a single envelope, examining it closely. Jaiden pulled the envelope from the drawer and carefully pulled a strange looking card from it. He examined the card further, holding it up to the flickering lantern and closely peering into it.

Ah, there you are, Jaiden whispered. Just the little jewel I've been looking for. He carefully put the card back into its envelope and placed it back into the drawer. He then separated the stack several inches in front of and behind the card and pulled the whole section out at once. He eyed the stack of protected cards in his hands, estimated about a hundred or so which was more than enough, and carefully tucked them into his knapsack to absorb at a later date.

With his primary goal achieved, Jaiden was ecstatic. He quickly picked up his knapsack, shouldered it, retrieved his lantern, and closed the wooden drawers. With a quick adjustment of the lantern's wick, he stood up and left the room.

As he stepped out into the library's main hall again, Jaiden felt a chill that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He shivered slightly, unsure of what could have caused it. "I'm going to be glad when I can leave this place behind," he thought to himself. As fascinating as it was, Jaiden knew he needed to make haste before the night grew too long. Of course there were animals to deal with at nighttime, but Jaiden wasn't afraid of animals. There were mostly forest creatures around, and very little that was actually dangerous. It was the bandits that roamed the abandoned cities during the day that he wanted to avoid. He'd had many unpleasant encounters with them in this area, and he wanted nothing more than to get what he needed and return home uneventfully.

The thought of some of the transients he'd run into on his excursions made him shiver again. Most only wanted to steal Jaiden's things to sell for food, or even worse, sell Jaiden himself. But there were a few that were worse, barely human, even. He silently prayed for safe passage.

He peered around in the cavernous room and then headed for the stairs down to the first level. Though he passed rack after rack of books on every subject imaginable, he was mostly interested in tomes about machines, something he could use to improve his inventions to make more money for himself and his mother. It was his insatiable curiosity, however, that brought him here at night to search for clues about the past. He continued on down the stairs and made a quick return to the front of the building.

As Jaiden approached the foyer of the library, his lantern began to flicker, and he realized he had been inside for quite some time. He quickly glanced at his pocket watch before the flame died, and was shocked to see that it was well past midnight, and approaching early morning rather quickly. With the fear of being discovered fueling him, Jaiden felt a surge of adrenaline and tried not to dwell on what might happen if he stumbled across a group of undesirables. He might be able to bluff his way out of it again, but he couldn't be sure.

He made haste towards the shattered front doors, still being careful not to make any loud noises. As he stepped through the empty door frames, he froze in horror. Something, or someone, had found his bicycle and completely destroyed it. Only a pile of twisted metal bits lay where his bicycle once was. Jaiden felt his gut constrict into a tight knot, and his head grew light as his heart began pounding. He furtively searched the darkness for signs of movement, but his eyes had not adjusted to the night yet. He quickly blew his lantern out and ducked behind some overgrown bushes near the doorway, praying that no one had spotted him.

Once he was out of sight (of what, he wasn't sure), he froze and focused his senses. Even though his heart was racing, he forced his breathing to become slow and controlled. His pulse pounding in his ears made it difficult to hear, while his eyes fought to adjust to the sudden darkness. After a few seconds, Jaiden's senses finally settled and he was able to take in his surroundings.

From his hiding place, Jaiden could still see the remains of his bicycle. As he peered closer, he could also make out tracks or ruts passing nearby- and possibly, over- the very spot where he had leaned it to rest. He slowly stood, not fully revealing his position, but yet above the bushes enough to see more clearly. He held his fists at the ready, half expecting some raging monster to come flying at him, but nothing of the sort happened.

Then, as the nighttime sky grumbled and rumbled its usual noises, there came a clap of thunder which was close enough to make Jaiden's heart leap into his throat. And in that very instant, as the landscape was illuminated by lightning for a split second, he saw a sight that took his breath away even more so than the thunder. About thirty yards away, following a trail of swerving tracks and ending in a heap of steaming machinery, was an automobile the likes of which Jaiden had never seen before.

He immediately snapped out of his shock and as the sky fell dark again, he realized he could now hear the clicking, ticking,