The Regnum Event

By Roger Scouton

Sarah Thompson and her brother Germaine are competition level BMX freestyle bikers. On a warm, spring, weekend day of their senior year in high school, while biking along the river, they make contact with a starship. However, the chance meeting was anything but chance; the alien had been observing the twins for some time. The alien, Novo by name, is a Watcher. He travels the universe watching events and, without direct intervention, attempts to move events in as positive direction as possible. He wants Sarah and Germaine to travel with him to a distant planet where the king is dying, leaving his untested son to lead the battle against intergalactic invaders. Novo wants the twins to use their bike skills to compete in the annual race involving bikes that fly. All the twins have to do is observe how the prince handles himself in the race and report whether they think the prince has the character to lead his people in war. The entire assignment will be completed during the time the twin’s mother thinks they are at a BMX summer camp. Of course, things don’t alway go as planned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9780989356268

Book preview

Sue.

PROLOGUE

The bright stars and well-defined spiral galaxy in the night sky provide just enough light to outline the surrounding jagged mountains. The flat desert below has the appearance of a dark, flat sea with no patches of illumination indicating civilization. As the planet rotates, a red glow spills over the mountain range. Within minutes, a red dwarf star begins to rise into the sky. The dark jagged mountains, and desert valley below, contrast sharply with the red hued sky. As the star moves higher in the sky a smaller, red dwarf star begins to rise above the mountain range.

In the blink of an eye, a humanoid dressed in robes and wearing an environment mask appears on a mountain ledge high above the valley. The lone man walks slowly along the flat ledge which runs diagonally across the otherwise jagged mountainside. He stops, looks upward, and admires the unique red stars. He then reaches into a satchel, removes a device, and commences taking measurements. Satisfied with the result of the test, he walks ten feet and makes additional measurements to determine the distance from the ledge to the center of the valley. The robed man turns and gazes down the valley to confirm it ends as a box canyon. He bends over to pick up a bowling-ball-sized ruby rock and throws it as hard as he can. The rock falls far short of the center of the canyon floor. He then vanishes and reappears on the ledge on the opposite side of the box canyon. After running more laser measurements along the valley floor below, he enters the data on a handheld device and runs a series of calculations.

ST1, use the natural rock materials but alter them to so they are five-pound round balls. Stack the five pound ruby balls in pyramid-shaped stacks along the ledges on both sides of the canyon, the man says as if speaking to himself.

At almost the moment he finishes speaking, well-formed pyramid-shaped stacks of five pound ruby balls form along the rim on both sides of the box canyon. The man examines his work, takes one last reading and then seemingly walks through a large boulder and vanishes.

The next morning when the first red star rises over the mountain, it illuminates rows of red pyramids along the ledges above the box canyon. Had anyone been around to observe the sight it would have been wondrous. As the centuries passed black dust settled onto the ruby ball pyramids until one day they no longer reflected the morning light. As eons passed the buildup of dust covered much of the pyramids.

Eventually, the primitive nomadic people of the planet formed communities and socially evolved. Explorers discovered the strange ball formations. After some time, the small pyramids were cleaned of dust and debris. In the following decades, many tried to date the stones and determine the process by which they were formed so perfectly rounded. To this day, the origin of the pyramids remains a mystery. There are competing theories for the creation of the pyramids. Some say they were used by ancients to track the seasons using stars while others think they honor a long-forgotten god. No matter what the purpose was for forming the pyramids, they remain a curiosity.

BOOK ONE

THE TRANSFORMATION

CHAPTER ONE

It’s one of those perfect Saturday mornings. The air is fresh and warm, and the buds on the trees are bursting into vibrantly green leaves. Even better, it is still too early for the street and sidewalks running along the river to be crowded with shoppers and tourists. Two bikers appear at the top of the hill and gain speed as they pedal down the sidewalk toward the river. One biker catches air off a loading ramp, and the other, following close behind, does the same trick and then slides to a stop next the waiting biker.

Follow me, Sarah yells to her seventeen-year-old twin brother as she takes-off on her BMX freestyle bike. Her silky fine blonde hair flows straight back as she picks up speed. Germaine flips his surfer-like sandy, brown, long hair back, and grins as he watches Sarah blast down the hill. He pulls a wheelie and then starts after her at full speed. Sarah looks over her shoulder to see if her brother is closing on her. She turns her head forward and smiles as she sees the approaching drop-off created by steep steps directly in her path. At the last second, Sarah bounces the bike and pulls up hard placing the frame on the handrail before grinding down to the bottom landing where she flies off the railing and pulls off a hard landing on the pavement. As she peddles away she hears Germaine’s bike grinding the handrail. Sarah peddles hard to get enough speed to ride up the side of a curved embankment, performs a rotation at the top and then slides down the other side toward the street. Her grin turns to a frown as she slams on the brakes and slides to a stop. Seconds later, Germaine pulls up next her.

Four boys on geared dirt bikes, glaring menacingly at the twins, block the sidewalk. Well, if it isn’t the cute little cut and paste kids. Tell me again, which one of you is the boy and which is the girl? the largest boy sneers. Whatever, just get out of our bike park!

The others in his little gang, resting on their bikes with arms crossed, snicker at the taunt.

You don’t own the sidewalk, Jimmy, Sarah replies.

Jimmy looks coldly at Sarah and then points toward the distant rundown looking neighborhood. You need to stay on your side of town. We live here, you live there. Me and the boys don’t race through your part of town! You don’t belong in our hood. We warned ya before to stay outta our territory, and then, turning to the gang, he says in a slow monotone voice, I guess twins are kinda slow.

Germaine pushes his bike between his sister and Jimmy and holds his hand outward to calm the situation. Chill, Jimmy, there’s room for everybody to ride by the river, he calmly says.

Jimmy and the boys shake their heads side-to-side and raise their fists toward Germaine and Sarah. Plenty a room for all of us? Okay then, let’s play run and catch. First you run, and then when we catch you we gonna play the beat-up game on you! Run!

Sarah’s eyes dart to Germaine’s, she tilts her head to the left, toward the street and then takes off on her bike. Germaine follows, and not far behind the bike gang is in pursuit. As the gang pedal, they gear-up so they quickly close on Sarah and Germaine riding gear-less bikes. Sarah peddles toward and down a small grassy hill. At the bottom, she jumps the curb and peddles across the street. As Germaine follows her, a driver hits his horn and brakes hard to avoid hitting him. Germaine looks at the driver. Sorry! he yells as he peddles away. Before the driver can proceed farther down the street, the gang blasts past inches from the car bumper.

Germaine catches up to Sarah. Follow me! he breathlessly yells. Then, he speeds past his sister and jumps his bike onto the six-inch wide handrail along the overpass pedestrian walkway. He and Sarah pedal across the overpass for fifteen feet and then Germaine steers off the handrail into thin air. He drops ten feet to a dirt bank that serves as a natural quarter pipe which safely break his fall. He then slides down the grassy hill to the sidewalk. Sarah follows, sticks her landing, and peddles after him. Jimmy and the others slide to a stop on the overpass. Jimmy leans against the ledge and watches the outsiders pedal away to safety. Next time no chase, we’ll just beat you up! Jimmy hollers. 

That was a dope drop-in! Sarah yells over to her brother.

Not too shabby yourself!

With the gang stuck far behind, Sarah and Germaine pedal slowly along the sidewalk performing the occasional wheelie or pogo trick until they near their secret play area. Germaine sees the old abandoned house where they sometimes hang, picks up speed, and steers his bike onto the weed covered lot. He pedals along the side yard to the back where there are stacks of cool junk. He gets off his bike and rifles through the junk. Sarah uprights an old metal chair, sits, and turns a rusty bucket over to make a footrest.

She watches Germaine exploring junk as she enjoys the warmth of the sun on her body. I don’t get it. Jimmy and his crew know we’re black belts in judo and could kick their butts. Why does he do that to us? Sarah asks.

He knows we’ll only defend, not attack. So he can look big to his crew with no risk … as long as he doesn’t catch us, Germaine replies as he examines an old baseball plucked from the junk pile.

I guess so, but he’s mean. Hurts my feelings when he teases us.

Germaine turns to his sister, Yeah, he’s mean … or maybe, just messed up. One thing though, I sure hope someday you look more like a woman and me a man. 

Sarah giggles. I think we missed the long-promised growth spurt.

Maybe our size helps us do sick tricks?

Sarah grins. I like that.

Watch this, Germaine says as he winds up and throws the baseball at a tire on the other side of the backyard. He misses wildly. Sarah rolls her eyes. Nice throw.

With a determined look on his face, Germaine reaches down and picks up a rock. Making sure Sarah is watching he begins a ten-second comically exaggerated windup. When the anticipation is just right he throws the rock as hard as he can straight at the tire. Halfway to the target the rock hits something in midair and ricochets to the ground. Germaine has a puzzled expression on his face as he turns to Sarah. Did you see that?

I got bored with that whole windmill thing you were doing. See what? Sarah replies.

Germaine picks up another rock, takes careful aim and throws it as hard and straight as he can. Again, the rock stops halfway to the tire as if it hit something and drops to the weed covered ground.

Okay, that’s like freaky, Sarah quietly says as she stands and walks toward the two rocks lying near each other on the weed and grass spotted dirt. She then looks up and examines the airspace in front of her. I thought maybe there was an old window screen or something. But nope, the rocks just stopped and dropped to the ground. Pretty freaky!

Germaine takes a step toward the tire with his hand outstretched and instantly his hand and wrist disappear. He pulls his arm back quickly and looks to Sarah. Whoa, dude, that’s like totally bad. Watch this! He moves his hand in and then pulls it back several times making it disappear and reappear. Now you see it—now you don’t, now you see it—now you don’t, he says with each pass.

With Sarah now at his side, he extends his hand forward and watches as it again vanishes into thin air. He extends his left hand toward Sarah. Hold my hand, and if things get crazy pull me back.

What you gonna do?

My hand goes in and out with no problem, so I’m going to check this out!

He takes a deep breath and then steps forward and vanishes up to his left elbow and hand which Sarah holds tightly in her hand.

Germaine! Come back, Germaine! she screams.

And then, as if stepping through a doorway, Germain is again standing next to Sarah but now his eyes are huge and his face frozen with an amazed sort of look.

What, what just happened? You, you, disappeared! Sarah stammers.

It’s killer cool, follow me! Come on! he excitedly yells and then walks forward hauling Sarah along by her hand. As they step forward, they enter a large dimly lit room. On one side of the room are what appear to be computer-like stations and on the other side is a metal table with a light fixture overhead giving it a medical look.

Sarah shakes her head. This is bad, real bad. We gotta go! Come on, Germaine, we got to get out of here, that’s an operating table, she nervously whispers as she turns to escape. 

Don’t move, Germaine instructs, line-up the door with something so we can find it later. I want to check this place out some more.

No way, we should go. I have a really bad feeling about this room!

I’m not leaving before I know what’s going on… stay by the exit, Germaine dismissively replies.

Sarah glares at her brother. Oh, all right, but I have a better idea you stay put, she says as she lets go of her brother’s hand, walks to the table, grabs a chair and positions it at the location of the passageway.

Door marked, now what? she asks.

I dunno, think anyone’s in here?

I am here, a metallic sounding voice replies.

Sarah looks to Germain, makes a sour face and whispers, Now that’s creepy; time to go.

My name is Germaine, my sister is Sarah, what’s your name?

ST1.

Sarah looks around the room trying to locate the source of the voice. Seeing no one other than her brother she asks, Where are you?

You would say I am everywhere and nowhere. I am ST1.

Is ST1 an abbreviation for your full name? Germaine inquires.

Yes.

Germaine rolls his eyes. And your full name would be?

My designation is Species Transport One, but I prefer ST1. 

Sarah nervously looks to the metal table and then begins to walk toward the chair. Run, Germaine! But just as she moves toward the chair and freedom beyond, the floor rotates so when she steps past the chair she bumps against solid wall.

Why do you wish to leave, we have only just met?

We know how to defend ourselves Mr. ST1, abducting a cow would be much safer for you! Sarah yells in as threatening a voice as she can muster.

You think ST1 has abducted you? All you must do is tell me to clear the exit screen.

ST1, clear the screen for exit, Sarah sternly orders.

In response to the order all wall surfaces become clear. Sarah walks to the nearest wall and steps out into the junk-filled yard. She sees the old house and their bikes and then turns around and sees the tire and other junk. Slowly, she walks forward and is again standing in the eerie room with Germaine.

You are not prisoners; anytime you want to leave just give me that command and if it is safe for you outside, I will comply. 

Germaine looks up with an eyebrow raised. Why wouldn’t it be safe?

Many reasons, such as we’re hovering in the air or traveling through interstellar-space. I could not allow you to exit if you would be harmed.

And why would we be in space? Germaine slowly asks.

Because you ordered me to take you there.

You can take us places?

I can take you anytime you want?

You mean anywhere, Sarah corrects.

That, too, where or time, they are not unlike.

Germaine is silent for a moment and then his face brightens. You’ll transport us anywhere we want?

It depends, but for the most part … yes.

Take us to the George Road Jump Park in Queenstown, New Zealand, Germaine orders.

No.

Why not? I thought you said you could take us anywhere we wanted to go.

That would not be wise as your bikes are outside, ST1 says, in a lighter tone. 

Sarah turns to Germaine, grins and then says to the metallic voice, Don’t go anywhere, we’ll be right back. They jump through the wall, run to their bikes, roll them toward the large tire and then simply vanish.

And you will bring us back before dinner? Sarah asks.

Of course—I could even bring you back just prior to the time those bullies chased you if you want to do your wonderful escape again, ST1 announces.

No way, Germaine whispers.

Oh, there is a way, ST1 replies.

You were watching us? Sarah nervously asks.

Yes.

Why?

I am ST1.

We need to talk ST1, Sarah responds.

We will, but for now why not enjoy George Road Jump.

Right on, Germaine says, pumping his fist, when will we get there?

We are there.

The wall becomes transparent and they see the scenery on the other side of the wall has changed from a junkyard to a beautiful mountain area dotted with evergreen trees on all sides, and in between the trees are seemingly endless jumps. As it is fall, there is a cold breeze pushing the evergreens every so gracefully. Broad grins form on the twins’ faces as they take in the endless dirt packed jumps, mounds, and half pipes running for hundreds of feet down the run.

No way! Germaine says in awe.

It’s a monster! Sarah replies as she takes in the scope of the park and the degree of slope.

What are you waiting for? Show me what you can do, ST1 urges.

They spin their bikes around and peddle out the wall. Germaine stops, turns, and peddles back inside. ST1, how will we find you?

Mark the general area and figure it out.

Germaine nods, turns his bike and then wheelies out onto the slope. He stops, places a quarter on the ground to mark the location of ST1 and then starts his run down George Road Jump. At first, he is cautious, getting just enough air to place the bike on its side, turn the handlebar, and use his body to make the bike look like a tabletop. He lands the bike and then gets his speed up, shoots off the next ramp and while in the air removes both feet from the pedals and extends them backward to pull off a sick Superman. The ramps are virtually continuous, so Sarah and Germaine must be careful to control their speed so as not to fly over a landing-ramp and crash against the flat space. Farther down the run, Sarah approaches a ramp at speed, gets air and does a 360-degree rotation so as to land facing down the landing ramp. At the bottom of the slope Germaine slides up to next to Sarah.

This has got to be a dream, he says, gasping for air.

I’m having the same dream! Sarah squeals but then looks serious and adds, So if we aren’t dreaming, we have an awesome ride now. I wonder what ST1 gets out of this?

Who cares, he’s our freaking ride to anywhere we want.

Must be something he wants, Sarah says as she turns and looks up the slope.

Germaine also looks toward the top of the run. Best we start hiking back.

Inside ST1, a man stands at the clear wall watching. That is exactly what we are looking for, the man says in a business-like tone.

Sarah and Germaine slowly push their bikes up the side of the steep mountain bike run. Once at the top they spread out and search the ground for the quarter. Sarah finds it and then pushes her hand forward and to the side until it disappears up to her wrist. Over here, she shouts.

Sarah leans her bike next to Germaine’s in the computer room and then takes a seat next to her brother on the couch. After what seems like almost no time, she casually looks toward the wall and sees the junkyard is again outside the window.

The trip was so short I did not need to reverse time. You have twenty minutes to get home, ST1 announces.

What’s this all about, ST1? Sarah inquires.

We can talk another time, ST1 replies, you need to get home in time for dinner.

Will you be here tomorrow?

No.

Where will you be?

I will be at this location, ST1 says and then a piece of paper floats down next to Sarah.

Sarah grabs the paper and then follows Germaine out of the craft and onto the junkyard. She stops, opens the folded paper, and reads aloud, Find the horse in the center of the green sea, guarded by thousands who will not rise up to halt your approach.

Hey, Germaine, theses directions make no sense. Wait up, I’ll be right back. She turns and rides her bike toward the big tire and then brakes hard just before hitting the tire. Sarah pedals around the area where ST1 had been moments earlier. Her eyes are sad as she slides to a stop.

It’s gone, she says.

Let me see that stupid note, Germaine says as he grabs the piece of paper. He quickly reads the note and then looks to Sarah. Well, that sucks.

Maybe we can do a search on the computer; come on, race you home.

CHAPTER TWO

Germaine washes the last dinner dish and hands it to Sarah to dry. As the dish is placed in the cupboard, Sarah yells, Hey, Mom, me and Germaine are gonna sit on the steps out front.

Okay, but don’t forget tomorrow’s a school day, Mom responds without looking up from television.

Germaine grabs a bag of cookies and follows his sister out onto the steps. They sit and watch cars drive down the busy street. Sarah, with lightening fast speed, yanks the cookie bag from her brother’s hands.

What do you think? she says while chewing a cookie.

I like double chocolate more, Germaine replies.

Ah, hello, I was asking about … you know, whatever that was today.

Just messing with you; I think we found an alien spaceship.

Or did the alien find us? Remember, he said he was watching us?

Germaine grabs the cookie bag. Why would a space dude watch us?

All kinds of people get abducted by aliens, everybody knows that, Sarah says as if she has actual knowledge of such things.

No way. Those people are just telling stories; they never have anything but a story. They never have photos or proof of any kind, just a story.

So … what do we have to prove we were on an alien ship today?

Germaine stops chewing his cookie, swallows, looks to Sarah. Nota, except a cool story. 

Right, so maybe some of the people on TV who say they were abducted … really were snatched into space.

"One thing we know that only a few others know, there are ‘others’ here; maybe we met an alien or maybe something else. One thing for sure, no way whatever we met was from