Jenny In Space: Chasing The Killer Comet

By Michael Coles

The heavens are calling...wanted, one hero. Many disastrous situations are escalating within the galaxy that will jeopardize the survival of worthy races of intelligent beings, beginning with planet Earth. A suitable candidate is crucial in order to re-shape the future. Generations before her birth, the choice is made and a complicated interweaving of people and circumstances is put into motion. Now we must wait for the passage of time to blend all of the inherent behavior that will produce our hero. But, as time marches on, dangerous conditions continue to build. Such as, a massive comet, tumbling through space since before civilization on Earth began. Standing in the comet’s way is a beautiful planet, teeming with life and poised for great things.
Years before our champion is born, the first of her direct support team becomes aware of threats to ours and other commendable races within the galaxy. As the years pass, she continues to have visions and is steadily drawn closer and closer to the starting point of what will become a legendary epic of human accomplishment. The adviser is infused with an overwhelming sense of duty, although she cannot yet grasp what the responsibility involves. The plan evolves and our hero is born. Years of growth will be needed before her services are required, and the comet is still unknown to the human race.
Thirteen years later, Dr. Roy Thompson, an astronomer in British Columbia, is the first of his race to discover the comet. Weeks of study will be needed to plot its course. In the meantime, his home is in total disarray; he and his family need a new housekeeper. Applying for the job is Madame Caidoz...a professional psychic who claims to have been drawn to the area and compelled to apply for this job. Mr. Thompson is desperate. He and his two children, Martin and Jenny, can’t keep up with the workload themselves. Thirteen-year-old, Jenny, is instantly attracted to the strange new housekeeper and they quickly become friends. Her full name is Rellet Caidoz, but Jenny soon comes to know her as just, Relli.
Relli feels relieved to finally be in the situation that has been nagging her for most of her life. Relli reveals that she believes Jenny is destined for great things. “But not greatness in the way we understand it, far beyond that, beyond our little place in the cosmos,” Relli told Jenny. “The enormity of your endeavors will not be on a local scale, or even a global level, but will span the galaxy. I see the name Jenny of Earth, emblazoned across the cosmos, and held in the highest esteem.”
“Don’t ask me how or why Jenny, but you have been chosen to achieve great deeds, heroic acts of immense significance. I was sent here to help guide you on this path.”
Despite Jenny’s reluctance to accept Relli’s visions, circumstances keep leading Jenny in that direction, particularly when her father divulges the disastrous path of the comet. Earth is not prepared for the threat, and Mr. Thompson knows it. Relli sees a faint hope to be saved from the comet. The faint hope comes along the same path as the fast approaching comet, and whatever this faint hope is; Jenny needs to partner with it. It is Earth’s only chance, and Jenny accepts the responsibility.
Come and join Jenny on her first of many adventures as she finds herself, “Chasing the Killer Comet.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Coles
• Release date: May 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301769865

Michael Coles

Born in Toronto in 1957, I was full of energy and spent much of my time enjoying life as an active kid. My first job when I was 19 required a commute of 3-4 hours on the buses and subways of Toronto. It was pretty boring, so I passed the time reading. My favorite books were filled with adventure. I enjoyed authors like: James A. Michener, James Clavell, Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert and J.R.R. Tolkien. Their books seemed to come to life in my head and I loved the way the stories were crafted. I moved to Vancouver in 1980 and had kids of my own. Sharing my love of reading with my children, we enjoyed The Little House series and of course the Harry Potter series. Soon my aspirations turned to writing. I never imagined the hard work and dedication it takes to write a novel. I have managed to write three and I am very proud them. The Jenny In Space series is very different from the Vampire book. I like to think all are worth investing some of your valuable time in. My hope is to entertain, first and foremost. I hope you enjoy them.Mike Coles

Book preview

JENNY IN SPACE

Chasing the Killer Comet

Michael Coles

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Michael Coles

License Notes: 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 ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - The Mysterious New Housekeeper

Chapter 2 - The Dreams and Visions of Madame Caidoz

Chapter 3 - The Danger from Above

Chapter 4 - The Faint Hope

Chapter 5 - The Suit

Chapter 6 - Inevitable Impact

Chapter 7 - The Events

Chapter 8 - Contact

Chapter 9 - Wondrous Technology

Chapter 10 - Decision Time

Chapter 11 - Preparation

Chapter 12 - Sad Farewells

Chapter 13 - Chasing a Comet

Chapter 14 - Earth's Plan

Chapter 15 - Extinction or Salvation

Chapter 16 - Triumphant Return

Chapter 17 - Another Prophesy Beginning to Take Shape

Chapter 1

The Mysterious New Housekeeper

Full speed, like a comet streaking through the heavens, Jenny Thompson felt released and re-energized. It was one of her and Polka's favorite times of the day. Jenny's blond hair moved in unison with Polka's black mane and tail, and she squinted against the rush of air in her face. Polka's hoof beats were fast and hard, and Jenny leaned into the speed. Jenny gradually slowed him to a canter, wanting to save some of his energy for one more burst on the way home. The white spots covering Polka's black coat stood out like a snowfall on a dark night. Sitting up straight in the saddle, Jenny looked around at the sights she loved so much. The swaying grass and the warmth on her face made her relax her flexed body and she slowed Polka to a walk.

You know what, Polka? I'll bet I'm one of the luckiest thirteen-year-olds in the world. Mostly because I've got you. I mean there's lots of other stuff that I'm thankful for...but you pull it all together. You're my pal no matter what. I'm just so lucky to have you.

Polka snorted as he continued to catch his breath.

Let's head over to the lake and get you a drink.

Jenny tightened the light-blue elastic in her hair as she rocked comfortably in the saddle. She usually wore her hair in a ponytail. The summer sun had bleached it to a radiant golden tone, with wisps of blond highlights at the front. Her facial appearance was a mixture of her mother's soft beautiful features and her father's angular characteristics. She had inherited her mother's calm relaxed demeanor. She was sensitive, but confident and outgoing. Jenny missed her mom, although she did not really remember her. She had passed away ten years ago.

I'm going in for a swim. Here, I'll take this off so you can cool off, Jenny said as she loosened the cinch. It's hot, isn't it? And I haven't been sprinting for a mile like you have.

Jenny loved her new saddle and so did Polka. It was small and light, not like the huge, 40 year old, beat up, piece of junk she'd been using up to this point. She could barely heft that old relic onto Polka's back.

Jenny went in for a swim while Polka wandered off in search of some tender blades of grass. As she looked into the blue sky, Jenny's mind wandered, as it often did, to the vastness of space. Her father worked at the Lester B. Pearson observatory about 10 kilometers away. Jenny was determined to have a career in astrophysics. She thought her Dad had the greatest job in the world. He was able to peer deep into space and try to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Jenny's father, as a boy had also been keen on astronomy, working hard to make it his career...but now, he was troubled by something he had just discovered in Earth's solar system. The excitement of his discovery had worn off days ago as Roy Thompson began to worry about the comet's course. As it got closer, the size and direction became clearer, but a couple more days of study and calculation were required to pinpoint how close it would actually come. He tried to keep his mind on his work, but the scientific calculations were tedious and Mr. Thompson's thoughts often strayed to his family and home. Mrs. Anderson and her daughter had helped immensely with the housework over the last 10 years, but the daughter had just recently married and moved away, and Mrs. Anderson was ready to retire from her job at the Thompson household. Jenny, her brother Martin and their father had thought they could keep up the house themselves, but it did not take long for Mr. Thompson to realize that they had underestimated the workload. None of them liked the idea of bringing a stranger into their home to take care of the duties Mrs. Anderson had so lovingly tended to, so Jenny and Martin stubbornly clung to their desire for independence.

The Thompson home was located in a lovely rural area, surrounded by open fields and gentle rolling hills. Their closest neighbor was almost a kilometer away. Mr. Thompson tried to relax as he drove home for what promised to be an eventful evening. He groaned as he stretched his long body out of the car and brushed a lock of brown hair off his forehead. Mr. Thompson was not in the best of moods; he was tired from too many long hours at the observatory. He also knew what he would find at home-a disaster!

Mr. Thompson rubbed his temple as he walked up the steps and across the wrap around porch of the beautiful two-storey home. The painters had just recently applied a fresh coat of light grey paint to the exterior of the house and the faint smell was still perceptible. Walking into the house, Mr. Thompson found exactly what he expected, food-encrusted dishes and drinking glasses scattered everywhere, unclean floors, and dirty clothes piled up in a big mound on the laundry room floor. The pressure he felt had been building for days, weeks, even months, and it was about to explode. He found Jenny and Martin in the kitchen hurriedly cleaning up.

That's it you guys! I can't take it any longer! We need a housekeeper, he announced to Jenny and Martin.

No, Dad! We'll do better, we promise, Jenny pleaded.

Yeah, Dad. Give us another chance, Martin said.

No! their father said, shaking his head and setting his jaw. You can't change my mind this time. This is too much for us, we can't keep up, and I'm tired of the mess: laundry and dishes pile up, the house is a mess, meals are unhealthy, and the bills don't get paid on time. I know I don't do my part either, I need help too, we all need help.

I'm too busy at work, and you two have too much homework, or so you keep telling me. So, we need a housekeeper, and that's final! I placed an ad in the paper yesterday. I received three calls at work today regarding the position. I've booked three appointments for tonight. I want to get them over with so we can make a decision on which we like the best. I'd like to hire someone and have them start on Monday.

Jenny and Martin looked at each other and remained silent. There was no point in further discussion. They had put up a valiant fight, but they just couldn't keep up with all of the housework. They were both good students, who kept up with their studies, and were involved in organized activities, so finding the time and energy for housework, on top of all that, was difficult for them. Martin was 2 years older than Jenny and they enjoyed the things kids enjoyed doing, which did not include anything with the word work in it, like housework and homework. Jenny's mind wandered aimlessly as she hurried tidying up the kitchen.

What a way to spoil two perfectly good words, house and home, Jenny thought to herself, just by putting the word work behind them.

I have to go back to the observatory tomorrow, and likely Sunday too, Mr. Thompson announced.

Jenny glared at him with piercing blue eyes. The whole weekend again, Dad? Why are you working so much lately?

Umm, just some solar flare-ups we've been documenting, he said vaguely.

Jenny could read her father pretty well, and sensed he was hiding something.

The first appointment for the new housekeeper is due in about a half an hour. What culinary delight do you have planned for supper tonight? their father asked, somewhat sarcastically.

We have a wonderful chicken dish prepared by Chef Swanson, Jenny played along.

We'll have to make our first priority for the new housekeeper-someone who is a good cook, their father said, as he walked unenthusiastically into the kitchen.

Yeah! Jenny and Martin agreed wholeheartedly.

She has to be astronomical in the gastronomical department. Weird eh, you just add the letter 'g' to the beginning of astronomic, and you get gastronomic. One is the outer reaches, and the other is the inner reaches, Jenny realized, earning a chuckle from her father, and a roll of the eyes from Martin.

Martin was a few inches taller than his sister. His hair was thick and blonde like his mother's had been; he liked to wear it in a shaggy style.

Jenny and Martin didn't mind TV dinners, because they were easy to prepare and clean up after, but a nice home cooked meal occasionally would be nice.

They had just finished eating when the doorbell rang.

There's the first one, Mr. Thompson said, as he wiped his mouth and went to the door, with Jenny and Martin close behind. The door opened, revealing a woman with a stern face, atop a substantial frame.

Good day, my name is Mrs. Stoggert. I am answering your ad for a live-in housekeeper. Are you, Mr. Thompson? she asked sharply.

Why yes, yes I am, please come in. We'll go into the living room and chat, he said, leading the way.

Mrs. Stoggert looked around the house and huffed.

Please have a seat, Mrs. Stoggert, and we'll get to know each other. These are my two childr...

Yes, fine, Mrs. Stoggert rudely interrupted. Let's get a few things straight first.

Yes, sure, of course, what's on your mi...?

I don't do floors, windows or bathrooms. Everyone takes care of their own rooms, and their own laundry. I cook, and I do breakfast and lunch dishes, but someone else cleans up the dinner dishes, she said glaring at Martin and Jenny.

I vacuum. You have a built-in vacuum system I hope? To which Mr. Thompson just nodded.

I dust, and I will sweep outdoors. I work from nine a.m. 'til six p.m. Monday to Friday, weekends off, no exceptions, and I will need a television and cable in my room. These are my terms, she ended abruptly.

Mr. Thompson raised his eyebrows and opened his eyes wide. Well, I guess you've answered all of the questions I had, very efficiently.

He put aside the list of questions he had prepared, and had no interest in asking anymore. Jenny and Martin smirked at each other as Mrs. Stoggert was quietly escorted out, and the door closed behind her.

She's perfect! Jenny jokingly raved.

Dad, if you hire her, I'm moving out, Martin protested.

Hmm, that's a tempting suggestion. What do you think about Martin's offer, Jenny? her father asked.

Hmm, Jenny pondered the thought for a calculated moment, as she glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye. No, I think even Martin is preferable to her.

Oh, thanks a lot, Martin complained.

She may end up being the best of the three, Mr. Thompson said, wincing.

Twenty minutes later prospect number two showed up. She was thin, and had a much friendlier disposition than Mrs. Stoggert.

Hello, I'm Mrs. Ringer, she chimed pleasantly, I'm here to apply for the housekeeper's position?

Hello, Mrs. Ringer, I'm Roy Thompson. Just call me Roy, and these are my children, Martin and Jenny.

Hello, they all said.

Come this way to the living room, Mrs. Ringer, and he beckoned her to follow.

Oh, what a lovely home you have. I once owned a home like this in Vancouver from 1999 to 2002. It was a beautiful place, two stories and lots of room, the carpets were kind of dirty when we moved in but we replaced them with new ones right away, she reminisced.

Mr. Thompson motioned for her to have a seat, and she just kept right on talking.

The yard was lovely, although we didn't care much for the large pine tree on the lawn... Mrs. Ringer went on for ten minutes about her old home in Vancouver.

Jenny, Martin and their father glanced at each other.

She doesn't even stop for a breath, Jenny thought.

Oh, but I'm rambling on as I am apt to do. I do love to talk, as you will soon discover, and you and your children must have some questions for me, and what attractive children you are. Mine are all grown up, but they were a joy to raise.

Oh oh, here we go again. Jenny could tell Mrs. Ringer was winding up again.

Margaret, my eldest, went to university and became a nurse, and Sam, well Sam is still deciding what he wants to do for the rest of his life. He's a little bit lazy and unfocused. And she went on for another twenty minutes about her family, all the way back to her great, great grandparents.

Mr. Thompson had been looking for a pause or a break in her sentences, but none ever came. Just as he was about to interrupt her, the doorbell rang again.

Hmm, that's my next appointment for the position, Mr. Thompson said.

I'll get it, Jenny blurted, looking for any excuse to escape. She bolted to the door and opened it to an oddly dressed woman, who did not say a word for a moment. The woman just stood there, with a look of recognition on her face. She nodded her head slightly, and Jenny thought she could see tears accumulating in the woman's large brown eyes, and then a smile swept across the woman's broad, flushed face.

Hello. My name is Rellet Caidoz, although my clients know me as Madame Caidoz, but my friends just call me Relli, and I know we are going to be close friends, the woman said, with the hint of a European accent.

Hi, I'm Jenny. She thought Relli had the look of someone who had been searching for something for years, and had just found it.

I suppose you're here regarding the housekeeper's position? Jenny asked, and the woman nodded.

"Won't you please come into the kitchen and make yourself comfortable? My father