The Galaxy Queen

By John R. Rose

Ruben Hall never planned to be a star-spanning hero! He was an ordinary teenager — until he was abducted by aliens and given a battery of strange tests. Then he was given the opportunity to join the elite Space Rangers corps!

Accompanied by his girlfriend and plucky uncle, Ruben Hall graduates Space Ranger Academy and quickly becomes an interstellar hero! So, why isn't the Space Ranger Council pleased? Before he can say "Warp Speed," Ruben becomes an outlaw with a price on his head! Excitment follows the trio until the nail-biting conclusion!

Author John R. Rose grew up reading comic strips and comic books like Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Tom Corbett, Tarzan, and John Carter. His love of the heroic fantasy genre is evident in Ruben Hall's adventure, which begins in a mundane earth field and culminates in a pitched battle beyond the stars!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bold Venture Press
• Release date: Dec 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370870936

John R. Rose

JOHN R. ROSE, author of “Alias, the Kansas Kid,” was born in the latter days of the dust bowl era in south central Kansas. His birthplace was probably thirty to fifty miles from the fictional character Dan Robbins’ birthplace. Otherwise, there is no connection between the author and the Kansas Kid.There were seven siblings of the author and they all liked to read. Being raised on a sandhill farm, there was plenty of work and not much time for other activities. When the work was done, the primary activity was reading and listening to the radio adventure programs.Rose attended college on basketball and track scholarships, earning a degree in education. He spent 37 years teaching and coaching in the Kansas public school systems.At an early age, he became a collector of books, magazines and comics involving characters such as Tarzan, The Lone Ranger, Zorro, Flash Gordon, Red Ryder, and dozens of other characters.The author is married and with his wife, Meredith, they have two children. Son, Michael, lives in Colorado and daughter, Anne Marie, lives in Arizona. Both are fans of their father’s writings.Since retirement, the author spends a great amount of time at the computer writing stories.

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The Galaxy Queen

by John R. Rose

Published by Bold Venture Press

boldventurepress.com

Cover design: Rich Harvey

The Galaxy Queen by John R. Rose

Copyright 2016 by John R. Rose. All Rights Reserved.

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without express permission of the publisher and copyright holder. All persons, places and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to any actual persons, places or events is purely coincidental.

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 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 enjoyment only, then please purchase your own copy.

Table of Contents

The Galaxy Queen

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

About the Author

Connect with Bold Venture Press

Chapter 1

The Lightning Storm

 Ruben Hall stopped his bicycle and glanced down the long hill toward a high chain link fence that rose out of the hills to the north and disappeared into the heavy growth of trees to the south. The fence stood ten feet hight and was topped with three strands of barbed wire.

The boy had no intention of riding his bike down the rocky slope as he would just have to push it back to the top when he was ready to leave the area. The hill was too rough to be riding on, he thought, even going down.

On the slope grew a patch of sandhill plum bushes, and just behind the thicket were two large boulders raising up just slightly higher than the four to five feet height of the plants. The boy wheeled his bike in between the bushes and the rocks, careful to avoid the thorns on the stems.

Ruben stepped back, eyed the spot where he had hidden the bike and grinned. It was completely out of sight. This was the same spot where he hid his bike every time he came out to the fenced in area that local rumor indicated was a game preserve.

The boy touched his toes a couple of times simply to stretch a bit and then began jogging down the slope.

When he was just over ten yards from the fence, he turned and jogged to the south, parallel to the barrier. It was only a short distance until he came to the spot where one could crawl under the fence. Originally, the wind had created a dip under the fence and the boy had spent some time enlarging the place so that he could get onto the reserve without touching the electric fence.

He glanced up at the signs that were posted all along the chain link fence. One of them read, Private Property! No trespassing! Another one read, Danger! High Voltage! Ruben knew there was a charge of electricity running through the fence as he had checked it out.

It’s gonna rain, he said to himself as he looked at the dark sky in the west. I expect I have about thirty to forty minutes before I’ll have to be getting out of there! I still have time to check that pond!

Ruben liked the feel of the atmospheric change brought on by the storm. He was reminded of his fifth grade year, when he had watched the television broadcast of the first men walking on the moon. Although the first step for mankind on the moon had only been six years ago, that time seemed to be long ago. Back then he had wanted to be an astronaut. Now, as a sixteen-year-old, he had changed his mind numerous times.

He removed the tumbleweeds he had positioned in the dip as a sort of camouflage and placed them where they would not blow away as the wind was rising.

***

Doctor Manko looked at the screen before him and nodded slightly. Then he looked up at his assistant a short distance away. She was also viewing a screen.

Take a look at this, the first doctor said. I believe the weather is developing just perfectly.

Doctor Zalta moved silently to the point where she could look over Doctor Manko’s shoulder.

Yes, she agreed, and the other screen shows a subject moving to the suggested place.

Do you really think those suggestion phases actually work? asked Doctor Manko.

That is difficult to measure, replied Dr. Zalta. It is rather like the head domes working on Earthlings. Occasionally it does, but generally it does not!

Perhaps, if this is the same subject, he was mentally urged to make the trip to the preserve, said Doctor Manko, but I think, from past observations, he may have just decided to go out there without any prompting.

I believe that is the more accurate answer, replied Doctor Zalta.

Let us move our carrier over to the location, said the first doctor. We’ll be completely hidden above the storm clouds.

It did not take long for the two occupants of the space carrier to maneuver their craft to the point where it was directly above the fenced in preserve. The vehicle was made in a circular shape and gave the appearance of a huge, inverted saucer.

***

The wind was strong and Ruben struggled to run against it. The open terrain leading away from the fence led uphill for somewhere around four hundred to five hundred yards.

When he came to the crest of the hill, the boy stopped to catch his breath.

I guess I’m kind of out of shape, he panted. The hill and the wind shouldn’t make me that tired!

Ruben gazed across to the next ridge he would have to traverse before reaching the pond where wildlife could water. He was looking directly into the approaching storm and the realization suddenly hit him. The rain was going to arrive much sooner than he had anticipated and if the ground was wet, he would be trapped inside the preserve!

If I tried to get under that electric fence with the rain coming down, he said out loud, I’d just be like a piece of fried bacon when they found me!

Ruben was racing back toward the fence surrounding the preserve before he finished his thought. The tiredness was totally forgotten as the adrenaline kicked in. He was almost halfway to the fence when there was a deafening crack of thunder and he felt the first drop of rain strike his face.

Fear flooded through the boy racing madly down the long slope. Then he felt the hair on the back of his neck standing up and he had been told that happened just before lightning was about to strike. Ruben dropped quickly to the ground hoping the lightning would go elsewhere.

He lay flat on the ground and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. His body tingled and he wondered if that was what lightning felt like, and then decided it probably was not! Rain began to pelt his body as he remained on the ground. The sound of thunder was still heavy and loud in Ruben’s ears.

Then came a flash of lightning that was so bright he seemed to see it behind closed eyelids. He felt something and assumed it was lightning. The boy remembered nothing else.

***

Can you see the boy we are tracking? asked the lead doctor.

Yes, was the reply. He is on the preserve and is running down the long slope leading toward the electrified fence. The wind is moving at a good clip and it is getting darker. I believe we could go below the clouds and wait for our opportunity.

Doctor Manko moved levers and made adjustments in settings and presently the window screens showed the scene below the clouds. The space carrier appeared to be whirling as it held stationary above the trees off to one side. The center of the saucer was still and unmoving while the outside rim appeared to be spinning. There was absolutely no sound from the carrier.

The two doctors in the saucer shaped carrier watched the flight of their subject as he ran frantically down the hill.

Doctor Manko! exclaimed the assistant doctor, my readings show our subject is going to be struck by lightning momentarily! I am fastening a beam on him immediately!

Yes! Bring him in! the first doctor agreed quickly.

It was almost instantaneous, the quickness with which the space aliens lifted the inert body of the youngster and drew him toward the carrier.

He’s coming in now, said Doctor Zalta, excitement in her voice.

He’ll be in the entrance bay momentarily, nodded Doctor Manko.

Both doctors moved to an oblong clear box about seven feet by three feet by three feet. As they watched, the panel below the box opened and the subject was lifted into the viewing box. The bottom closed tightly, sealing off the interior of the carrier from the outside.

Ruben, unconscious, floated inside the container. He seemed to be surrounded by a light foggy mist.

He looks to be just fine, said one of the doctors.

Yes, agreed the other doctor. In about thirty seconds the interior of the gel box container will have adjusted. Then we need to get it open and place the mask over his mouth and nose. We must not let him wake up just yet!

The lead doctor adjusted several dials and waited a few seconds. Then he smiled at his assistant.

We can open it now, said Doctor Manko as he pushed several buttons on the end of the container.

The top floated upward and Doctor Zalta moved it to one side. Both doctors reached into the receiving cubicle and began arranging Ruben’s legs, hands and arms.

Doctor Manko immediately fastened a breathing mask over the boy’s mouth and nose. Then he was floated to a single bunk where he remained suspended just a few inches above it.

"It is time to return to the Contropla and begin the tests," said Doctor Manko. He touched a few buttons and the carrier was underway.

***

The chill was gone and Ruben felt toasty warm, very comfortable and totally without a care in the world. He lay with his eyes closed, breathing gently, his body completely relaxed. He vaguely wanted to move but his muscles did not respond.

At one point he tried desperately to open his eyelids, but all he got was a bright red coloring and he was sure there was something placed over his eyes. But he was so relaxed, so comfortable, that nothing really seemed to matter.

Eventually he came to the realization that his body was completely unclothed. But in his current state of mind, it did not matter. Ruben came to the conclusion that he was resting on a gentle cloud of air, that nothing was actually supporting him in any way. But this was of little concern.

He must have dozed and then he was aware he could hear voices in the distance. Gradually it came back to him. He had been out in a rain storm with lightning playing all over the sky. He was going to be struck and he had dropped to the ground before he felt the numbing tingling that hurt. He must have passed out and now people were out looking for him. He could hear them.

Ruben wanted to call out, to let them know where he was. But his mouth would not respond. Then the voices went away. They had not found him. The anxiety that had begun to build faded away quickly. The boy was very comfortable with a feeling of dreaminess flooding through his body. He relaxed on his floating cloud.

The next time he became aware of his surroundings, he was sure he was hooked up to something as it seemed there were little gadgets attached to all his body openings. He could feel something on his ears, and there was something in each nostril, although he had no difficulty breathing. There seemed to be something, like small suction cups, covering his eyes. He couldn’t move his lips, but he was sure his mouth was encased in something.

Then he heard the voices again. They must have found him and he was surely in some kind of hospital ward where they were attending to him. He wondered if they had contacted his Uncle Harry. He couldn’t remember if he had been carrying any identification with him or not. Perhaps they had no clue as to who he was.

Something wasn’t making sense to the boy. He knew he had gone onto a private game reserve where trespassing was not allowed. In fact, you had to know just where you could get through the protective fence surrounding the whole area, or you would set off alarms. Therefore, there would not be anyone looking for him on the reserve. First, he wasn’t supposed to be there and, secondly, they couldn’t get in, even if they thought he was out there. So, just where was he?

Ruben tried again to move his arms and legs. Nothing. But he continued to concentrate on getting movement and, eventually, he began to feel a slight bit of change in position as he strained his muscles.

Then the voices came again and he ceased his effort in trying to move. He didn’t know why. He just felt that they, whoever they were, would not be pleased to find out he was trying so desperately to move. In the back of his mind, he was thinking that he should get out of there. He must escape, if that was possible.

Ruben listened intently, hoping to hear something that was being said. He had those things in his ears, which made it hard to understand the words being spoken, but the words also just sounded like so much gibberish to the boy.

The effort of straining so hard to move had tired him to a certain extent and he was soon asleep again.

When next he awoke, he realized someone was working with something that fit his head like a cap. It was something like a football helmet but it only seemed to cover the top part of his skull.

Do you think it worked this time? came a low, soft voice. It almost sounded feminine to Ruben, but he wasn’t sure. The accent was terrible and the boy wondered just what it was.

We will know when we bring him around, came the reply. This voice sounded masculine and was also low and soft.

Why is it that this does not work on so many subjects? asked the first speaker.

We don’t know, came the reply. However, they are always working to improve the machines, so someday, it will likely work on almost everyone we put on it.

If it works on this fellow, said the feminine voice, he will be able to understand what we say. Will we be able to understand him?

If it works the way it is supposed to, the male voice replied, he will be able to respond in our own language.

Ruben was very confused. He had no clue as to what all this was about, but he knew he was understanding what they said, even with the funny accent.

We’ve had him hooked up for several hours, said the male voice, don’t you think we could take him off now? I believe we’ve got the readings required. And it shouldn’t be too long before this head piece will have either accomplished what it is supposed to do, or we will know that it did not work on another one!

Ruben could feel things being released from his body. Most of the connections had been placed in conjunction with a body opening, but others were fastened to him in various places. He felt clamps being released from his toes and they moved up his body removing whatever was attached to him until they finally reached his mouth. That piece was removed and then the small cups from his eyelids were lifted.

The boy opened his eyes and worked his lips briefly, trying to get moisture back inside his mouth.

Hi, he said. barely above a whisper. Is the storm over yet?

Both of the individuals working over him gasped and stepped back.

He talked! exclaimed the male voice.

It worked! added the feminine one.

I believe it worked perfectly, was the reply.

What is it that worked so perfectly? asked Ruben in a slightly raspy voice that indicated the dryness of his mouth.

You spoke, replied the male voice. It has been a long time since that has happened on this planet.

You even have the right accent, agreed the feminine worker.

Ruben was silent, thinking for a moment. He blinked his eyes as it seemed that he was having trouble focusing. The individuals standing by his side just did not want to come into sharp delineation, remaining in something of a ghostly form. He could see dark spots that he assumed were the eyes and occasionally a dark spot that might have been a mouth.

Where am I? asked Ruben. The last I knew, I was in a thunderstorm with a lot of lightning. I think I may have suffered a hit.

In your terminology, Ruben, said the male, you have been with us for a number of hours. Most of the night, in fact.

How did you know my name?

That came from the little machine that is attached to your skull, Ruben Hall. We have extracted much information about you and we would like to sit down and have a nice long talk with you once you are on your feet again.

Is this a hospital?

Not in the sense you refer to, the female replied.

The boy looked again at the two individuals and they still appeared to be some form of ghost or apparition. He squeezed his eyelids tightly and then opened them again. The vision was the same, not very clear.

What have you done to my eyes? he asked calmly.

That is a side effect of our testing, the male replied. Do not worry, Ruben. It will soon pass and your vision will be a good as normal and quite possibly even better.

Are you aliens?

Yes, we are, came the reply. However, we are not here to cause you or your people any sort of trouble. We test several individuals each year, and we are very discrete with our presence. We do not stay in any one place for very long. Those who do not measure up to the testing, are returned to their normal habitat with little or no memory as to what took place here in our laboratory and on this ship.

Why the testing? What are you looking for? the boy asked.

I believe you are about ready to stand on your own, the fellow said without answering the questions the boy had asked.

It felt to Ruben like the cloud he had been reclining on began to slowly tilt upward at his head and downward at the feet. His bare feet touched the floor and he found himself standing.

He did not know what happened to his cloud, but it was gone and he felt quite chilly.

I’m cold, he said. Where are my clothes?

Right beside you, Ruben, said the feminine voice. And there they were, floating right beside the boy. It did not make sense, but then most of what had recently happened had not made any sense.

He pulled on his underwear first, then the jeans, followed by the tee shirt. All were dry and warm, and Ruben felt good. He pulled on his stockings while standing up but looked for a place to sit down as he pulled on his jogging shoes and laced them snugly to his feet.

Feeling better? asked the feminine voice.

Yeah, said Ruben. Since this is not a hospital and you have said you are aliens, am I a prisoner here or can I go on home?

You are not a prisoner, Ruben, said the male. However, we would really like for you to visit with us for a short while before you leave. We would like to become your friends and perhaps we could meet you again in the future.

If you are aliens, did you come in some kind of space ship? Did you come from another galaxy?

Yes, answered the male voice. That was all. He added nothing else.

Are you the ones we read about in the papers every once in a while? You know, the stories about strange mutilations of livestock, that sort of thing?

I would have to know more to answer that question, replied the voice. We are not the only visitors from the far reaches of space. We are primarily interested in learning what we can of your species. Of course, we are interested in the fauna and flora of your world. However, we try not to disturb anything and if we do, we try to put it back as it was. We do not want to interrupt your normal way of life. And I am speaking of your society, rather than you as an individual.

You said you wanted to talk with me for a bit, said Ruben. Will I be able to go home after that?

Of course, came the reply.

Then let’s get the talking done so I can get out of here and see what kind of trouble I am in at home. You said I’ve been here for several hours, so I’m sure there are those who are worried about me.

That would be your Uncle Harry, often times called Indian Jim, right?

Ruben was floored and he was speechless for a moment, wondering how they knew all this information.

How do you know about my uncle? he asked.

The skull cap we had on your head when you began to regain consciousness, said the male voice, gave us much information about you, Ruben.

So that is how you knew my name, huh?

Yes, a voice replied. We know much about you.

When am I going to actually see you? the boy asked. All I get now is that cloudy, wispy shape that really isn’t any shape at all. There has got to be more to you than meets the eye!

That will soon change, was the reply. By the time we are through discussing some possibilities for you, you will see us as regular humanoid beings.

You almost sound scary, Ruben replied. What if I were to decide to leave right now? What would happen? Would you let me go? Would I be back in the same spot where I was hit by the lightning?

They were now moving down what appeared to be a long hallway. Ruben was walking and the other two individuals were moving along beside him, but he wasn’t sure if they were walking or floating. They were, however, gradually becoming a more solid substance. They did look like human beings, but they were not yet to the place where Ruben could actually tell what they looked like. He knew which one was the male and which was the female by the sound of their voices, but he certainly couldn’t tell by looking at them.

Right here, said the male and he turned toward the wall. Reaching out, an opening appeared and they walked through to find themselves in a small room with several easy chairs. A coffee table was in the center and on it were several magazines.

Ruben, came the male voice, it is time you met me and my assistant.

The boy turned toward the sound of the voice which was just behind him and saw a middle aged man standing there. Beside him stood a young woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties, if time was measured the same by these aliens. They were both dressed in white with a light blue trim to their uniforms. Ruben assumed they were uniforms as they were both of the same cut. They wore slacks tucked into glossy black boots. A tunic with a black belt covered their upper bodies. Each wore some type of ringlet around their brow with an emblem fastened at the front above the eye brows. Probably an indication of their rank, the boy thought.

I am Doctor Manko, the man said, and this is my assistant, Doctor Zalta. Please have a seat and we will have refreshments brought. Would you like tea or coffee? Perhaps a juice of some type? We will have some sandwiches brought out as well.

Any kind of juice would be fine, replied Ruben. My throat is quite dry for some reason.

That is a normal reaction to the sensors, said Doctor Zalta, giving the boy an understanding smile.

Ruben sat down on one of the cushioned chairs. It was then that he realized how tired he was. If they would just leave him alone for a few minutes, he was sure he would be sound asleep.

You asked a number of questions, began Doctor Manko, who had seated himself just across the center table from the boy.

Yes, Ruben replied. I was under the impression that I am not being held a prisoner or against my will, so I wondered what would happen if I just decided to leave. Would you let me go? Would I be in the same place as where I was struck by lightning?

First off, Ruben, said the man, you weren’t struck by lightning. We picked you up with a force beam, a magnetic beam, if you will. Secondly, I doubt that you could find your way out of this ship. And if you could go to the right place, you would have no idea how to open the hatches that would let you out. But your biggest problem would be that first step. It is a long way to the surface, my friend.

Ruben had a strange look on his face. We’re not on the ground? he asked. We’re up in the air?

Yes, smiled Doctor Zalta. We are in a ship and we are on the back side of your moon. It is a good place to remain undetected, if you know what I mean.

Ruben nodded.

When we return you to your home, we will do so in such a manner that we will be unobserved and you will be very close to the spot where we picked you up. Now, we could change that location, if you wanted us to do so.

Why do you have me up here? asked Ruben. I don’t think I have anything that would be of any value to you!

Ah, that is where you are wrong, my friend, the man said. You see, we are a part of a vast organization in space. We recruit individuals such as yourself to attend our training school. Once you have completed that, and if all other areas work out, you will become a part of our Space Rangers program.

Space Rangers! exclaimed Ruben. Now, I pretty much believed all the other stuff you’ve been feeding me, but I sure don’t buy that Space Rangers stuff! That’s a way too much science fiction for me!

Both doctors were smiling at the boy and nodding slightly.

Ruben, said Doctor Manko, you are passing our tests just exactly the way we expect you to do. Perfect!

Ruben frowned. I’m still thirsty, he said.

At that, the door opened and a young man walked in with a large tray bearing three tall glasses of what appeared to be orange juice and a number of small items that looked to be similar to sandwiches but much smaller in size. Ruben decided each one was about one bite.

At your service, smiled Doctor Zalta. And thank you, Roggu.

The man dipped his head in acknowledgement and left immediately.

Try this, said Doctor Manko as he handed Ruben a glass of refreshing juice. The color of the juice was orange but that was the only resemblance it had to orange juice. The taste seemed to be a combination of pear and plum and was quite smooth. It did not have a tart taste and was not overly sweet.

These sandwiches, said Dr. Manko, are prepared by our food processors to be very similar to what you might eat on your planet. I hope you like them. The boy ate several of them, but could not place the flavor and he wondered just what it was those food processors had attempted to duplicate.

These are good, said the boy after he had eaten several, but I haven’t decided just what they are.

It is a combination of Earth flavors, the doctor replied.

Regardless, I feel much better now, said Ruben. "Thank you Dr. Manko.

Ruben, said the doctor, after the boy seemed to have satisfied himself, we would like very much for you to consider joining with us. You would attend our training school on a planet some distance from your Earth. You would be with other humanoid species and from what we have determined with our preliminary testing, you would do quite well. You would then be ready for a life full of excitement and adventure. You would never have to worry about finances as all that would be taken care of for you.

What if I were to get, say, halfway through and then decide I didn’t want to have anything more to do with it? Would I be allowed to leave?

Of course, replied Doctor Zalta. One of the most important parts to the program is that you must want to do what you are being trained to do. If the time arrives when you feel you really don’t want to be a part of the Space Rangers, then we will return you to your life here on Earth.

Ruben nodded silently.

Just one thing, though, added Doctor Manko, we would have to put you through a cleansing process. By that, I mean we would have to erase much of your memory of what you have already learned. It is not painful, it just takes a little time.

How much time do I have to make up my mind on this? asked Ruben.

As much time as you need, replied the doctor. However, we would suggest that you not wait too long. We would want you to finish your Earth schooling, but during breaks or vacations, we would like for you to spend some time with us. Actually the learning with us seems to work better if it is supplied at intervals and not all at once.

We are not talking about sitting in a classroom with books and homework such as you do in your current situation, said Doctor Zalta. We teach through the metal cap that fits over your skull and the information is fed directly into the brain. That is why you are now conversing with us in our language. Something you most likely did not realize you were doing.

That is mind boggling, said Ruben, somewhat in awe of the information he had just been given. So we are not speaking in English, although it seems to me that we are? You fed this into my brain while I was unconscious?

Yes, smiled Doctor Zalda. We also checked out your ability to handle information that is not readily available in your background. We believe you will do very well.

I don’t follow you, said Ruben softly.

What we are saying, added Doctor Manko, is that there is a great amount of knowledge that a very large percentage of your race would deem as pure science fiction. Unbelievable and they would refuse to accept the possibility of it existing. You, on the other hand, are among that minority, those few, who could actually see such possibilities existing.

How do you want me to explain my absence for the time I have been in your company? asked Ruben with a grin. I could just tell the truth, you know, but that other percentage certainly would write me off as a looney, or that I was trying to make them believe something they consider really weird.

It seems the best story is to say you just do not have any memory of where you were or what happened, said Doctor Manko. Let someone else put the weird twist to it. Sometimes they even get the aliens into the story, Ruben. We believe the less said, the better off you will be. That, however, is up to you.

The more you say, suggested Doctor Zalta, the more they will want to write you off as a mental case. If you decide to go with us, that will not make much difference in your future. But if you tell the story and then decide to remain on Earth, you’ll always have that bit of mental breakdown in your past.

Again, I’d say the less said, the better, added Doctor Manko. But you are free to do as you see fit.

I kind of like the sound of what I am hearing, said Ruben. But I really would like some time to think about it. Also, what are the chances of bringing my uncle to meet you guys? Or maybe a friend from school?

The boy grined when he saw their stunned expressions.

I’m sure that question has been asked before, replied the man, after a moment of silence, but Doctor Zalta and I have never had it presented to us. Your Uncle Harry, the one sometimes called Indian Jim, I think we could allow him to accompany you on a visit with us. What we learned of him through you, makes him appear to be tolerable. But, the friend from school? We have no knowledge of that particular person.

That is because I didn’t have any one special in mind, replied Ruben. I just wanted to know what the answer would be. I believe you have told me.

The two doctors smiled at each other and nodded. They liked the way their young candidate was responding.

I might bring Uncle Harry, said Ruben, but only if I have the feeling he would accept all this strange and unconventional setting. You know, space ships and stuff. Incidentally, will I be speaking English or space talk when I leave the ship back on Earth?

Both doctors chuckled softly and Ruben realized it was the first time either of them had expressed any form of amusement.

When you return to your home, said Doctor Manko, you will automatically speak the language spoken there. If you wish to use ‘space talk,’ all you have to do is think that you want to use it and that is what will be spoken. It might be a thing to have some fun with your friends. However, I wouldn’t actually try to explain it to them.

Oh, Ruben, said Doctor Zalta, if you have a desire to become multi-lingual, we can give you any number of Earth languages that you might want. It would only take a very short time. However, we do not recommend trying to absorb them all really close together.

If I should decide to join in with you guys, said Ruben, I will take you up on that offer! How many different languages can one individual handle?

Again there was the chuckle.

We know of one individual who has command of just over fifty different languages, said Doctor Zalta. We have heard of others who were proficient in well over a hundred, maybe even several hundred.

I have enough stuff rolling around in my head right now, that I don’t really know what to think, said Ruben. Why don’t you take me back home and I’ll try to come to terms with what all has taken place out here.

The two doctors looked at each other, nodded their heads and smiled. They did, indeed, like this boy.

Ruben, said Doctor Manko, we will take you back very soon now. The only thing we are waiting on is for the situation to be just right so that we can settle down unnoticed, let you off, and leave without anyone being aware that we were there. So, we have a little time to wait before we start the return process. Let us show you around the ship in the time we have remaining.

Chapter 2

Meeting a New Friend

Ruben stood in the chill wind of night and watched the dark object disappear. He was aware it had lifted off, but he was uncertain just what he had seen and the thought crossed his mind that perhaps there was such a thing as a cloaking device. That was science fiction, of course, but wasn’t this whole scenario pretty much science fiction?

The boy turned his steps toward the charged fence some quarter of a mile distance. There was no moon but there was enough starlight that he had no difficulty making his way toward the spot where he could crawl under the barrier without touching it.

Once on the outside, the boy replaced the dead brush that he kept in the shallow depression. It appeared to be something the wind had blown in and hid the opening quite well.

Ruben moved away from the fence and then stopped, turning to look back. He always did this, as he wanted to be sure the camouflage did hide the opening under the wire.

As he looked, he began to wonder if the reserve, as it was called, was really the result of an eccentric from the west coast or if it might actually be something the aliens had put together. It would sure give them a place to set their ship down with little chance of being noticed. And since the place was under lock and key, with signs spaced periodically on the wire reminding anyone who happened to think about entering, that trespassing was not allowed and that the fence was carrying a high voltage of electricity. It would take some time before anyone could actually check out some unexplained activity.

The next time he saw the two doctors, he thought, he would just ask them if the reserve was something they had put into place. Surely they would tell him.

It was past midnight and Ruben moved at a steady jog toward the road some distance away. From there it was another good jaunt to the house where he lived with his Uncle Harry. The thing about the last bit of distance he had to cover was that it would be by bicycle. That is, if someone hadn’t discovered his bike and taken it.

When Ruben topped the rise on his bicycle and looked down the road to his uncle’s house, he saw that the lights were on, seemingly from every room.

Rats! he muttered.

The boy really hadn’t given much thought to the story he would tell, but if there were other people at the house, he would have to say something. He decided claiming he did not know what had happened would be the best. Less chance of messing up and contradicting himself.

Maybe he should say he had hit his head and just didn’t know what had happened but he was sure there would have been people out searching for him. He couldn’t tell them just where all that had taken place as they had probably been there. And he couldn’t say he had been on the preserve. Ignorance seemed the way to go.

There were three people standing on the front porch of the small house when Ruben rode into the yard and got off his bicycle. They had heard him coming and all three of the men just stared at him.

One was the county sheriff, Lloyd Tuttle, and one was his deputy, Eugene Wade. The other man was Ruben’s Uncle Harry. The three men stepped off the porch and came to meet the boy. There was no show of affection between the uncle and his nephew, although it was there. It just wasn’t displayed.

Where have you been, son? the county sheriff asked. We’ve had search parties all over the country looking for you!

Couldn’t use the dogs because of the rain, said the deputy. Wiped out any scent there might have been.

Are you tired? Hungry? asked Uncle Harry. Come in and tell us all about this. You can eat while you talk.

I’ll be right in, said the sheriff, as he moved toward his vehicle. I’ve got to make some calls. Let everyone know the boy has been found! This has sure turned out a lot better than we had thought it might!

How long have I been gone? asked Ruben, laying the groundwork for claiming to not know what had happened.

The storm was Friday night, said his uncle. This is Sunday evening, so I reckon you’ve been missing right at forty-eight hours.

Where have you been, Ruben? asked the deputy. We’ve searched every square foot of ground, all the way back to the fence.

Ruben quietly wondered why they hadn’t found his bike, if they had done such a good job of searching.

Don’t know, the boy replied with lowered head. I just don’t know where I’ve been or what happened.

I think we’d ought to take him in to County Memorial and get him checked over, said the deputy. He may have been hit, or something. This might be a hit and run situation, he added.

Good idea, said the sheriff, who had just walked in the front door and heard the last part of the conversation. We’ll take him in the squad car!

No, said Uncle Harry, looking at Ruben. I’ll take him in my pickup. You fellows can escort us in, if you want to, but I’ll take my boy myself. And we will end up at the hospital. I’m not trying to dodge getting him checked over, cause something had to have happened. He may have additional injuries he is unaware of.

Yeah, right, the sheriff agreed.

Harry Beecher