There's Hope

By JETTA JOHNSON

If you believe in aliens, this book will whet your appetite. This book just might have some truth to it. Have you ever wondered how come people are living longer and longer? One hundred twenty-five is no longer a pipe dream. But were still too dumb and elect kids aged forty ad fifty to rule us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Sep 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466953444

JETTA JOHNSON

She has written three novels and one cookbook. She, along with two doctors, wrote an article which was published in the Journal of Thoracic Surgery. She was a general manager of Medical Monitors, one of the initial inventors of the mechanical-lung machine. She has since owned her own business.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

It was the kind of night that invited the unusual to happen. The air was warm and balmy, with hardly a breath of wind stirring and high in a starry, cloudless sky a thin crescent moon created just enough light for the trees to shadow in the velvety blackness.

Janine Jordan stood on her upstairs lanai gazing into the darkness below, deeply engrossed in her thoughts. She was forty seven, a widow of barely a year with three grown sons. Cal, the oldest was twenty seven and faced two more years of internship before earning his M.D. Brian, twenty two, was studying physics while Marty, just barely twenty, was still debating about a career. Cal and Brian were both married and settled in homes of their own, but she could never keep track of Marty who was off somewhere in Europe studying art. She’d only recently become aware of how lonesome this big old house was without the family.

Looking back on her life, the long uphill climb seemed to have consumed all her energies from the time she first drew breath and she wondered if it was all worth it. Nothing came easy, two steps forward and one, (sometimes two), back. She’d been sure all that had changed when she sold her first book five years ago and hit pay dirt. From that time until about a year and a half ago she and Tom had accumulated all they’d been reaching for—then everything started falling apart. First came Tom’s accident. Then after several months of recuperation, his unexpected and shocking death. She sighed and inhaled a deep breath of cool night air, memories crowding in around her.

How proud and happy Tom was when Cal and Nancy were married, not a bit apprehensive that Cal might not complete his education, might not become the doctor he’d always wanted to be. He had complete faith that Cal wouldn’t deviate from the path he’d set himself, a faith that proved justified.

Unhappily Tom was not to see his second son married because his death just three weeks prior to the ceremony had caused a black poll which dampened what, otherwise, should have been a festive occasion.

Since preparations were already in progress and invitations sent, she wouldn’t hear of Brian and Val postponing. With the funeral barely over, Janine was faced with having to attend Val’s shower, then hosting a bachelor dinner for Brian in Tom’s place. She didn’t actually attend the dinner, only prepared it for Brian and his pals. Val’s parents had gone all out for their daughter and the ensuing gala affair should have been a joyous occasion for Janine. Actually it had helped alleviate some of her pain, particularly as she witnessed the undisguised happiness of her son and daughter-in-law. Yet now, months later with everyone gone, the pain and loneliness refused to let go. Nights were the worst, especially this night, she thought, as she once more became aware of her surroundings, noticing again how quiet and deadly still everything was, an almost eerie stillness, both inside the house and out. She shivered a little—why—she didn’t know, since the air was quite warm. I really should turn on some music, she reflected, suddenly feeling a need to do something—anything—to dispel the heavy oppressive silence. A silence magnified by the buzzing of insects, leaves stirring softly, moved by an occasional, almost imperceptible whisper of air and the tiny creaks common to an old house.

Until the last few months, she’d loved every nook and cranny of the fine old mansion hidden away from the rest of the world on top of a mountain comprised of 180 acres of flat forested terrain. In fact this old house had been her dream for as long as she could remember.

When she and Tom purchased it over eight years ago, Marty, her youngest, only twelve then, but already adept at painting, had pitched in and together they had lovingly painted and papered each room. (55 gallons of white paint). Over five hundred yards of burgundy carpets were laid and yards of magnificent gold draperies were hung on what seemed like tons of windows.

Cal, nineteen, was in his second year of college and already engaged to Nancy, so he only lived with them for a year before their marriage. Brian and Marty, however had proceeded to fill the house with teen agers, loud music and three dogs. It was hard to realize that just a short year ago she had yearned for peace and quiet—had wished for a full day of writing without the bedlam of kids laughing and screaming as they played in the pool or barged in on her with some irrelevant question, diverting her from her work.

Well! she thought, she had quiet now—OH GOD! She certainly had it now. With Tom laid to rest and all three of her sons gone from home, the dream had become a nightmare, and loneliness was relieved only when she was buried in her writing.

She didn’t even have all the dogs to keep her company. Only Cinny. Cal had taken Quincy, the Irish Setter, when he and Nancy had married and Brian had taken his black Lab. She was thankful to have loveable little Cinny, a cinnamon colored minature Doberman. She looked at the dog now, laying snuggled into a ball at her feet. If it weren’t for you, Cinny, I’d be completely alone, she crooned softly to the dog, thank God you’re with me.

Ellen and Benny, the couple she’d hired to take care of the house, gardens and general maintenance were away on a much earned vacation. When they were here they helped dispel some of the loneliness, especially Ellen, who would have mothered and pampered Janine shamefully if she’d let her. Most days Janine was engrossed in writing, while they had their own chores to do and evenings, after Ellen made dinner, she and Benny went home to the guest house, situated about a quarter mile down the hill.

Janine was so deeply engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed a faint droning that disturbed the natural sounds of the night. It was only when Cinny raised her head, ears perked up, listening, that she became aware of it. As she concentrated on it, the faint drone grew into a soft pulsation and she noticed that the air had become rather dense and damp around her. As the pulsating grew closer she realized it was coming from somewhere above her and straining her eyes into the darkness she gradually saw the dark outline of an enormous object hovering high above the house. It was completely black and might have resembled a large cloud, except for the pulsating hum it emitted. As she watched, the thing began to descend slowly, looming larger and larger until it completely blotted out the sky. When is was about twenty or thirty feet above her, it stopped, hovering almost at the edge of the rooftop. Janine thought it looked definitely solid and seemed to be some type of ship about the size of a baseball field, surrounded by a mist which softened it’s outline and made it difficult for her to see it clearly.

As she stared, it occurred to her that she might be experiencing a UFO incident similar to some of those she’d read about, but just as soon as this crossed her mind she rejected it as ridiculous.

Up to now she hadn’t been frightened, but as the huge mass continued to hover above, unmoving, the first stirrings of alarm ran through her. Cinny immediately sensed her fear and jumped to her feet, alert. The dog was not a yapper, instead when challenged she would stand with her feet planted firmly apart, ears quivering, teeth bared, ready to take on all adversaries.

She could see no apparent lights on the object, (the main distinction of most sighted UFO’s) so she began to think her eyes might be playing tricks on her, however, the pulsating hum continued to vibrate from the mass contradicting this theory and Janine subliminally began to think of places to run and hide. She should at least get into the house, she told herself, but curiosity was overwhelming and her writers instinct, which had gotten her into trouble before, kept her rooted to the spot.

As she stood, indecisive, a glint of something shiny began to protrude from the underside of the mass. She could see the outline as it slowly, silently glided down. As it came closer it took on a familiar shape, reminding her of the chutes used at airports for loading and unloading passengers.

She’d often watched, fascinated, as airport personnel electronically unfolded an accordion chute, swinging and rolling it about until it reached the door of a plane, attaching itself like a giant tentacle so passengers could enter, or disembark, then folding back into itself and swinging away from the plane.

Her eyes widened and her breathing became faster and more labored as Janine followed the path of the contraption as it descended at an angle, stretching it’s shiny skin out until it came to rest just inches fron the edge of the lanai wall, directly in front of her. Cinny let out a low, menacing growl and Janine decided now was a good time to leave.

Slowly she began inching back toward the French doors which led into her bedroom and sitting room, Cinny at her side. She could see, by the faint light coming from the sitting room, what appeared to be a door at the end of the chute.

Suddenly icy fingers of terror were crawling down her back and though her mind told her to run, her body wouldn’t obey. She stood transfixed, staring at the chute, disjointed thoughts running through her mind., little green men, horrible monsters, people mysteriously kidnapped by strange vehicles that swooped out of the skies, people being observed under microscopic instruments. So many frightening rumors.

Perhaps it was a morbid curiosity about the truth of these reports that kept her from bolting into the house. Staring at the chute, which had become plainly discernible, her pulses racing and sweat beginning to bed on her forehead, she wondered what could possibly be behind that door and would it open. Run, Janine, run! her mind screamed at her to take flight, but her body refused to obey and she couldn’t move a muscle. It was suddenly imperative that she know what was going to happen—why this thing was here, And What It Contained. At that moment it was more important than her life. Heart pounding rapidly, she held her breath as the end of the chute slowly and quietly folded open to disclose a dimly lit aperture. She strained to see it’s contents and what she did see almost caused her to sag to the floor with relief.

Cinny instantly began barking excitedly, running toward the chute, then back to Janine. The dog, sensing her mistress’s relief didn’t know if she should charge the intruder or welcome him. Standing on the bottom of what appeared to be a runner leading up into the shadowy bowels of the ship was a very real and human appearing man—not some hideous creature from outer space. A man, like any other. He was dressed in seemingly ordinary slacks and sport coat.

Janine almost laughed she was so relieved. The incongruity of the whole episode striking her. Her first thought was that the Air Force had, after all, a secret aircraft because what she was seeing bore no relation, whatsoever, to UFO stories, other than the fact that an eerie cloud engulfed the huge shop hovering quietly above.

As these thoughts were racing through her head, the man lightly stepped from the door of the chute onto the lanai ledge. He stood there a moment, then jumped down onto the lanai, itself. As he did so, ugly new fears spread through her mind and her heart resumed it’s pounding and her legs began trembling.

″Maybe this was a foreign airship, Russian perhaps. Were they here to abduct her? Still—there was something about this man… She remained poised and ready for flight at the slightest indication of hostility, yet something emanated from him what was reassuring. Besides, if she ran, where could she go? There wasn’t anyone in the house that could protect her and she was miles away from her nearest neighbor. There was nothing for it, but to stand her ground and see what happened. Her heart continued to pound violently and she couldn’t keep her hand from shaking as she put it out to stroke Cinny’s head, calming the dog.

The man had made no further movement since jumping onto the deck, but as she laid her hand on Cinny’s head he turned towards the chute and spoke softly into something he held in his hand. Janine assumed it was a transmitter of sorts. Slowly and without sound the chute receded back into the bowels of the ship. She caught her breath in surprise as she realized the ship was going to depart, leaving this stranger behind.

The pulsating whisper grew more pronounced and swiftly the black cloud began to rise until it blended with the blackness of the night and could be seen no more.

For what seemed like an eternity, they stood inspecting one another. Finally the tension was broken when he spoke. Please don’t be frightened! the deep voice was soft and gentle. I’m not here to harm you.

Something in his manner transmitted itself to Cinny, because the dog relaxed under Janines hand and started wagging her tail.

Finding her voice, Janine squeaked out: What do you want?

He took a step forward, extending his hand to the dog as he did so. Cinny immediately stretched out her neck and sniffed his fingers. Apparently, satisfied he was harmless, her stubby tail started wagging again. Cinny had an almost uncanny accuracy in sensing human intentions and trusting these instincts, Janine relaxed a little. Nevertheless, as he stepped forward she stepped back.

Instead of answering her question, he made a quiet suggestion that she go inside

since she looked a little faint. Before she realized what was happening he’d moved to her

side and gently touched her elbow as if to guide her. Faint light coming through the slider touched his face and Janine gave an involuntary gasp. He was incredibly handsome! Not a young man, perhaps somewhere in his late forties. His face held no suggestion of maliciousness. In fact, from what Janine could see in the dim light, at the moment he seemed to be chiefly concerned about her.

As she gazed into his eyes, she felt almost hypnotized and without thinking she obeyed, meekly following him into the room. An overstuffed chair was just inside the door and she immediately collapsed into it.

As she sat there collecting herself, shock aftermath set in and she began to tremble all over. Cool it girl! she scolded herseif, don’t let it get to you—you may need all your wits yet!. Vigorously rubbing her upper arms to stem the trembling, she had an opportunity to study him.

He had continued further into the room and was now standing a few feet from the lamp that was casting a feeble glow, just bright enough to enable her to see him clearly. He was tall, at least 6'4", with silvery blond hair, bronze skin tight over high cheekbones, a straight nose, square chin and beautiful turquoise eyes. Startled she realized those eyes were studying her too. She immediately looked down and found Cinny curled up at her feet, as if everything was now perfectly normal. She couldn’t control another involuntary shiver that ran through her body. Looking up she found him still gazing at her and she felt she could get lost in those eyes, so deep and penetrating, yet gentle.

Perhaps you should get something to put around you, he remarked, you’re shivering,

He had a very faint accent, one she couldn’t put her finger on. This gave her rise to think that maybe this was some foreigner, but why her, why would they choose her home to deposit him? Look, she said, rising, I need a drink. She walked across the room to a small bar tucked into the far wall that held a couple of decanters. Hands shaking, she poured herself a shot of whiskey, which she drank in two gulps, while he continued watching her. Deciding to be flippant she said, What on earth do you want with me, I can’t believe you make a habit of dropping into a girls boudoir, there must be a good reason."

Instead of answering her question he said What is that you’re drinking? He had moved to the arched, open doorway between the little sitting room and her bedroom beyond.

Whiskey! It suddenly dawned on her that she was being rude drinking without offering him something, but, who, under the circumstances would think about being polite.

God he’s beautiful, she thought, then she chastised herself, this is no time to be thinking such thoughts, Janine!

Yes, he said quietly, I think I would like to try it. I’ve been studying your environment for the past three years, but I’ve had little opportunity to physically sample any of the food or beverages.

Janine almost dropped her glass. Who are you? she demanded, studying his face closely. This is ludicrous she thought. What was she doing standing here mixing a drink for someone who’d just dropped out of the sky? It’s mad! She must be dreaming.

Seemingly understanding her trepidation he said, I’m sorry I said the wrong thing. I must remember that you don’t know me yet and that you are very young and impressionable. His smile was completely disarming, lighting up his face. Let me put you at ease, he strolled to the far corner of the room and casually straddled an occasional chair sitting there. I’ve only come to talk with you for a while, nothing more. When you hear what I have to say, you’ll understand and then, I think we’ll be friends.

The man radiated a charm hard to resist, yet, the things he’d just said were certainly strange. What was that remark about her being so young? What an odd thing to say. She was far from young, certainly as old as he looked to be. Who are you? she repeated for the third time. "Where are you from?—you speak perfect English, but you’re obviously not from here. What could you possibly want to talk with me about? I certainly don’t have anything you might want. Suddenly the questions looming in her mind came rushing out.

He held up his hands, laughing as he did so, as if this gesture would stem the flow of words from her. Wait, wait—let’s take one question at a time His laugh as well as his words, reassuring.

Janine found curiosity stronger than her fear and said, You have to admit this whole thing is a little overwhelming. To tell the truth, I really am a little shaken by it.

He was suddenly serious, I know, it’s been extremely upsetting for you, but believe me it was necessary to contact you in exactly this manner.

Turning back to the bar she quickly finished mixing the drink he’d requested and, sloshing a little more whiskey into hers, took another gulp before she handed the other to him. She didn’t ordinarily drink much, but this was certainly not an ordinary evening.

At the far eend of the room where he had been standing earlier was a beautiful free standing white and gold fireplace where a feeble gas fire burned. She walked over to it, holding a hand out to the shallow warmth, then she sat down on one, of two, white velvet love seats flanking it. She put her drink on a glass gold leaf end table and gazed into the flickering flames, contemplating what he’d said. Why was it necessary, she asked quietly, and again, who are you? I know I’m constantly repeating myself, but you haven’t given me any indication of whom I’m dealing with.

He seemed to think for a bit, then deciding it was time to be direct, he said. I suppose you’d call me an alien. He watched her closely now, presaging her reactions. In your language my name is Brit and I’m from Baris, a planet you’ve never heard of, since it hasn’t been discovered by your astronomers yet. It’s many, many light years away and in Earth calculations it takes five years, or more, in our fastest ships to travel from there to here. He continued studying her closely, as he talked. He could see her mind churning. So—you see—it was a UFO you saw. His eyes twinkled suddenly as he saw disbelief in her eyes. I know it’s hard to swallow, but it’s true!"

He’d just mirrored her thoughts. This was the second time he seemed to know what she was thinking. She idly wondered if he also had the ability to read her mind.

As a matter of fact, yes I do. When he saw the look of panic cross her face he hurried on. Don’t worry, we use it only, and I emphasize ONLY, when it’s absolutely necessary—mostly when we are in unfamiliar territory or danger. In this case I needed to know how badly frightened you were and if I should continue approaching you, or back away and try some other method. Seeing alarm still flickering in her eyes, he continued. I promise I won’t use it anymore tonight! again he smiled at her, a surprisingly boyish smile in a face, otherwise so mature. The smile deepened the furrows chissled around his mouth, furrows that belied an, otherwise youthful face.

If you’re able to use mental telepathy why don’t you use it all the time? How can you just turn it off and on?

He took a sip of his drink and as she watched he slowly rolled the liquid around in his mouth. Since there was no expression on his face to indicate thether he liked it or not, she asked, don’t you like it?

He took another drink before answering. It’s different, it has a slightly acrid taste, but it’s pleasantly warm.

She had the distinct impression that even if he hated it he would be polite and noncommittal.

To use telepathy one must concentrate on the subject being studied, he continued, answering her previous question. Our brain holds one thought at a time, as yours do, so if we’re conjuring up our own thoughts, or being distracted by something else, it’s difficult to employ telepathy. Of course occasionally we get glimpses we’re not especially looking for, but for the most part, if we don’t wish to read someone’s mind, we simply don’t concentrate on it."

He’d been sitting across the room from her, but he felt she was calm enough now not to be upset if he came closeer, so he moved to the opposite love seat and sat down, facing her.

Let’s take the other question—why I’m here. He paused, while she sat on the edge of her seat, I’m here in answer to a call for help from a good many of your people on Earth."

At the look of surprise in her eyes, he added, I know this may sound incredible, but once you’ve heard it all, you’ll understand.

What in the world could that mean and what could he do to help the world, and what did it have to do with her? If this is true, why did you land here? Why in my backyard? She was still trying to assimilate his words. She knew she wasn’t dreaming—she really was listening to a professed alien. Thoughts were running rampant through her head.

Janine!—may I call you that?

You know my name? she couldn’t believe her ears.

Oh, yes! Janine—Janine, he played her name over his tongue, his strange accent adding a musical lilt, pleasant to hear. I’ve known your name for quite some time. It’s a beautiful name.

A warmth rose in her face at his words. But why would you want to learn about me?" Again she became agitated as she realized there was more to this by far than she could possible fathom.

Inwardly, he was satisfied they’d made the right decision when they picked her. Now that she was over her initial fright, she was intensely interested and seemed to be quietly assessing everything he was saying. It was time to fill her in on what was going to happen.

CHAPTER TWO

Brit studied Janine for a couple of moments more before he began talking again. He saw a woman in her mid forties, reddish hair, about 5'6" tall, a little over weight, but with a good figure. Her blue eyes were striking, intelligent and quick. She wasn’t what Earthlings would call, beautiful, but she was striking with a certain elegance in her stance. She had asked why they would want to learn about her. He had decided that the best thing would be to tell her exactly what was wanted of her. He believed she might be a little skeptical at first, but when everything sank in, she’d accept it.

We’ve been circling your planet for approximately two years now, studying each country significant to our purposes. Over the past fifty years we’ve placed many of our people in strategic areas throughout your world and we’ve been in constant communication with them. We’ve picked your country as our base of operations.

Inwardly, as he watched her, he was satisfied they’d made the right decision when they picked her. Now that she was over her initial fright, she was intensely interested and seemed to be quietly assessing everything he was saying.

He went on, you might be surprised to learn that two close friends of yours are from Baris and they highly recommended you as a person to contact.

Her eyes grew big as saucers as he made this remark and she gave him a penetrating look, silently questioning. In answer, he said, we’ll go into who they are a little later, right now there’s more important information I need to tell you.

She listened and learned there were many reasons why she’d been targeted as a possible Ally. First of all she was a world renowned writer, her books now selling in many different languages all over the world This was important to the Interplanetary Alliance, an alliance known only to those more intelligent planets who had formed it. They believed that in another hundred years, or so, maybe Earth could join them too, that is, if they didn’t destroy themselves first.

Secondly her children were educated, sensible young men