The Facility

By Phillip N Hancock, Sr

Ten years have gone by now and the population of the moon’s alien facility, and earth’s constructed moon city, have grown to almost ten thousand with another five thousand daily visitors meandering in and out of the area. The alien teleportation device and remote control have functioned flawlessly until now. Without warning a failed transport resulted in the loss of a famed astronaut and caused a halt in travel to and from the moon to earth. This was only the beginning of minor disruptions that made the occupants realize that they did not know enough, even after ten years of investigation, to fix these alien equipment problems. Unknown at the time, there was something on the horizon that would make the minor problems they were experiencing unimportant in most cases.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phillip N Hancock, Sr
• Release date: Aug 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370335732

Phillip N Hancock, Sr

Air Force Enlisted First Sergeant 25 Years of ServiceHydro System Controller for The Central Valley Project in Sacramento, CA 18 Years ServiceRetired, playing golf, working at our ranch and writing fiction

Book preview

Ten Years Later

Paul checked his watch and grabbed his topcoat as he exited the black motor car, a hackney carriage, that was so England. He waited as the driver also exited, went around to the back and retrieved his small valise from the boot of the vehicle. He took the small traveling case and then handed the driver the correct amount of currency. The total included the fare and a tip for the driver. Paul then watched as the driver reentered the right side of the idling auto. Once seated, the driver turned on the lighted taxi globe sitting atop the black vehicle, indicating that he was once again for hire. The driver then placed the motor car in gear and headed toward the arrival area of Stonehenge, a short distance away, to perhaps pick up a return fare for travel to the Amesbury Air Terminal.

The trip from the Amesbury, now an international air terminal, took no more than fifteen minutes and left Paul standing at Stonehenge in front of the Arrival entrance sign that beckoned him toward the waiting and departures areas. The actual Stonehenge could not be seen from this vantage point due to the newly constructed building that surrounded it. This structure is most unusual due to the fact that no metal was used in its fabrication. Lessons learned during the early days of testing the travel, to and from Stonehenge, taught scientist what would happen if metal was around the transport area.

No metal, however, did not stop engineers from finding a way to make the arena surrounding Stonehenge look like any air terminal you might find anywhere in the world. Parking structures were built in the surrounding area far enough away that no restrictions were imposed on their construction. The use of shuttle buses moved personnel to and from the parking garages and the terminal. Paul watched as one of these buses stopped a short distance from him. Once it became stationary, the bus seemed to bow as the air shocks lower the bus to sidewalk level. This lowering made exiting and loading much easier on all passengers.

Paul, his thoughts still on the terminal surrounding Stonehenge, absentmindedly watched as small groups of people exited the bus and surprisingly his eyes were drawn to one of the departing passengers. Her physique and stature was unmistakably and her hair was just too unique, putting these things together, it could only be one person. Although her back was toward Paul the whole time, he, without a doubt, recognized Kari Lipkens as she came off the bus. She was involved in conversation with some of the other passengers. Paul waited a moment not wanting to interrupt her. As the small group ended their discussion and turned to enter the terminal, he called to her.

Hey Locks, Locks. Where are you going? Paul spoke loud enough for her to hear but not so loud as to alarm.

Kari Lipkens turned when she heard her nickname spoken, a surprised look came over her face. What, Oh my goodness, Hey DW, Oh sorry, I mean Commander. She smiled and slightly blushed as she hurriedly approached Paul.

DW is just fine, I have retired from the military now, you know, a regular civilian of sorts, Paul said as he shook her hand and then gave her a most welcome bear hug. Wow, it has been five years now since I saw you, you look great, just great. Paul’s eyes moistened as he looked at Kari while continuing to hold her hand. His thoughts returning to those monumental events of 10 years ago,

Oh thanks Paul, it’s good to see you and you look great also. How many times I have thought about you and our adventures together, Kari said as she pretended not to notice Paul’s eyes watering or the tear that had escaped from her own eye and was slowly making its way down her cheek. What brings you here or are you like me, just out here celebrating the ten year anniversary of our first trip back to the moon using this transporter thing. She asked.

Ten years, yes, I too thought this was a major milestone and surely it deserved my recognition of that fact. So I packed up my traveling case and just now arrived by taxi. I was standing here wondering if any of the crew felt the same way I did and, low and behold, you step off that bus, Paul said as he shook his head in a kind of wonder of appreciation for her presence.

No doubt in my mind of how the rest of the crew feels and I am sure the same thoughts we are having are racing through their minds as we speak, Kari said reassuring Paul of his crew’s solidarity on their previous mission. Who knows they may show up while we are here. Hey, you want to go get some coffee, they have a Starbucks inside the terminal? She saw Paul questioning look, Hey, it was in the folder I was given on the bus, Kari said as she showed Paul the small pamphlet that was filled with information on the structure surrounding Stonehenge. It showed all the small outlet stores and it showed the actual location of the transport area itself.

Good idea, I missed breakfast and was wondering if there would be something to eat when I got out here. Paul replied.

I know that Starbucks normally have Scones and some breakfast muffins of a sort that are quite good. I am sure you will find something you like in there, come on, Kari said as she, continuing to hold Paul’s hand, led him inside the terminal.

The first thing they saw, after entering, was signs that directed personnel. Tourist and visitors should follow the yellow lines and moon travelers should follow the green lines. There was a separate line, this one was blue, for any personnel that might only be shopping or eating. Kari and Paul followed the blue line and soon saw the green Starbucks sign along the outside curve inside the structure. Once at the counter, Paul ordered a tall black coffee and a lemon scone while Kari requested a mocha concoction that he did not recognize and would not remember. Paul did not frequent Starbucks and was a bit shy in ordering or allowing people to know that he was not exactly up to speed on this.

What name, sir? The attendant asked.

Ah, just black coffee for me, I’m not sure what Kari ordered.

No, no, what I mean is, whose name should we call when your order is ready? The young man smiled as he asked.

Paul slowly nodded his head as he replied, Paul, just call Paul. I guess you can tell I am a little new at this.

Paul, I got it thanks, Came the reply as the young man wrote Paul on the side of both the cups he had picked up.

When their orders were ready they found a table and sat, Paul sipping the hot brew as soon as he was seated. He then took a small bite of the scone followed by another sip of coffee. Hey, this scone is really good, He said.

You are not a frequent visitor of Starbucks, are you? Kari asked.

You noticed, huh? It is true I am not, however, I must say the coffee is rich and this lemon scone is very tasty. Maybe I will have to become a more frequent visitor, Paul said and then took another bite of the scone.

For the next hour they talked about the progresses that had been made both on the space station and in conjunction with the transporter. Kari had somehow kept track of the number and status of people who had gotten permission and traveled to the Facility on the moon. She never said exactly why, however, she did admit it was just something she wanted to track.

I am amazed at the number of franchises that applied for a permit to travel to the moon. I am also amazed at the numbers that were granted, She stated. I believe a lot of them were for undetermined lengths of stay, like you know, permanent. She hesitated a moment and then looked at Paul and in all sincerity asked, is it possible that what you had envisioned before we left the Facility has now become a fact?

Paul took his time replying. He actually did not feel very comfortable with this new position that NASA had asked him to fill. It was a new area in a new arena and the boundaries were not well defined beyond the point of human safety. He remembered his thoughts about the invasion of fast foods and hotels/motels around the perimeter of the Facility. The fact that the majority of his thoughts or fears had already been realized did not sit well either. Explaining this now to Kari would be the first test on seeing how NASA personnel would respond to this his new job.

Well, you see I… Paul stopped in the middle and turned to look at the customer who had ordered so loud.

I’ll take a Caramel Monkey in an Auto and hey, shoot that little booger, ah, shoot him twice. Curt George stated and then said, make that order for Jungleman.

Paul rose and started toward Curt. Kari had also stood but remained at the table. As Paul approached, Karl Sweet stepped out from behind Curt George and smiled while pointing at Paul.

What is going on here, oh man, how are you guys? Paul asked as he shook each person’s hand. Wow, it is good to see you, Jungleman, Sugar, please, join us will you? Locks is here or, don’t tell me, you already knew that? Paul asked as he smiled and turned toward Kari before turning back to the new arrivals.

You got us, Sweet said.

Ok, ok, so where is Doormat and Yule, hiding at a Chucky Cheese or something? Paul asked as he scanned the area.

Let's have some coffee and catch up a little. Yule will join us momentarily, he’s in the little boys room. You really look good, Paul. Whatever you’re doing, it is working and you look ready for any assigned mission, George said.

They did join in and the conversation was not only filled with info from NASA but with personal information that brought all up to date on their personal lives. It was now time for Paul to bring them up to date on what he was doing now and why he was here at Stonehenge.

Did you guys come to celebrate 10 years of operation or are you guys going up to the moon? Paul asked when the verbal banter slowed down. I must confess that I am not just here for a 10 year celebration. I’m going back. Up there, you know, the moon. I’m on my way to the moon in conjunction with my new assignment, Paul said as he pointed toward the sky with his right hand.

Lucky you, you get to go back, Sweet said, then looking around at the other two continued. Well to tell you the truth, we knew you were on your way back to the moon and that you’re expecting to meet your new team here.

Hey Commander, Samuel (Yule) Washington said as he approached the group and while shaking Paul’s hand continued. Sorry about being late, must have been something I ate on the way.

As Samuel was getting seated, Curt George stood then reached into his briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers, which he handed to Paul. We wanted to be here to scrutinize your new team. We don’t want you to get a bum crew. After all, you already had the best crew possible. We would not like it if you got short changed this time, Jungleman said as he released the papers.

These, these personnel are my newly assigned crew? Paul asked as he read the orders. I think they screwed up. I expected someone with some previous knowledge of what we are to do. A rookie outfit run by a rookie with rookie personnel. He could no longer hide his smile and looked at each in turn and said, welcome aboard, it’s good to be working together again. I am sure these new task could never be anywhere near as difficult as our previous ones.

Although I have been warned about volunteering, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work together again, Sweet said as he again shook Paul’s hand.

Us too, Was echoed by Kari, Samuel and Curt as they too shook Paul’s hand in turn. All were beaming and felt at home again with their trusted friends.

Doormat is not here or at a pizza place but will be joining us later at the Facility. At present he is at the international space station on this his final tour. He just had to ride the new capsule one time. He said he wanted to get an idea of what the difference is between this and the shuttle. As you know he was much too young for the Mercury or Apollo programs and he thought the current set up might give him an idea of what those trips were like. He went as the ship’s commander with a crew of 2, and he took three tourists along, Curt told Paul.

Another hour of verbal intercourse and the crew was ready for transport to the Facility. Paul, now out of the dumps about people’s perception of this his new job, was more than ready to get started. This crew of his had such a positive effect on him. There was no way he could doubt their new mission now, not with the support given by these, his close friends, his old crew, his new crew.

Chapter 2

Paul’s Return and Reflection

Paul and crew follow the appropriate corridors and the green lines placed for travelers to the Facility. At the entrance to the transport area, there was a security person that insured everyone was who they said they were. All travelers were required to be in the computer, on file with the proper eye scan, DNA and fingerprints. Each person would be verified before he or she could enter or be allowed anywhere near the transport area.

Things were serious here and no levity was expected or permitted. The security person was just a spectator, secured behind bulletproof glass, and had no contact with the travelers. Each traveler would enter this small booth completely isolated. Once inside there were only two exits. One of the exits led to his/her being retained, maybe even arrested, and the other lead to the transport area.

All security checks were accomplished without any human interference. It was just the traveler and the computer inputs, which included a swab of the person’s mouth. All task were accomplished with a touch screen and tools and/or instruments appearing extending out from the surrounding enclosure at the appropriate time. While these personal screening activities were proceeding other unseen sequences were also in progress. Ultrasounds and metallic scans were just a few of the items that were not viewable by the traveler.

Documents were already on hand and none had to be turned in. Once a person had been scanned and verified, a portal would open and allow that person through to the waiting area for transport.

Paul went through the scan first and was soon allowed into the waiting area. He took a seat and waited for the rest of his crew. One by one they entered and took seats once again joking around with each other. These actions would alleviate some of the anxiety the crew felt. Being torn apart and then put back together, 282,000 miles away, by some alien technology would have been more comforting if someone knew how it actually worked. Of course this wasn’t the first time for any of them to travel this way and it wasn’t the first time that they had undertaken something unknown or dangerous.

Their turn came and they were ushered into the transport area. It was surprising, there was nothing here to indicate the purpose or ability of this area. The surrounding stones and the clear area in the center were unchanged except for some circles marked in the turf. There were no controls or knobs or equipment present. The operator was equipped with only a two way radio and mike. The operator asked, You guys ready to ride the White Light?

Ride what? Paul asked.

Are you ready to go? the operator then asked.

Do we need to do anything special, or should we just stand here? Paul asked as the operator showed them where to stand in