Project: Light Years to Heaven

By Werner Blignaut

This story is about an adventure with suspense filled with romance and laughter that also has a bit of science fiction, but not to graphic. David is an only child with an artist for a mom, who passed away years ago, and a scientist for a dad that won two Nobel prizes for his technology discovery and designs.

David's dad past away mysteriously when David was in his last days of graduating from university, with a PHD like his dad. Attending his dad's funeral and came home to an empty house was a difficult time for him finding himself followed by government people everywhere he goes.

He found romance and love all together with hidden secrets his dad left behind. Uncovering the truth about his dad's life and sudden death and the amazing secrets he dad kept from him, sharing and experiencing it all with his new love Melissa, who was his old school friend. All through this adventure David is pursued with questions, revealed secrets, amazing discoveries, uncovering the truth and the government and finding true love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: May 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469182162

Werner Blignaut

Born 1979 in Eshowe KZN, grew up in Mandini KZN (South Africa), a beautiful world with tropical forests and close to the beach, I always am a person for nature-wildlife. Like any other child I grew up with friends and a lot without friends, went through school and College like most kids. My background is electrical-electronic engineering but landed in retail since 1999. Today I am working at a leading retail store, 32 years, divorced with two kids (Shayne & Bianca) who are my everything. Currently I am working on my next book, hopefully this time be finished sooner.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Werner Blignaut.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4691-8215-5

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4691-8216-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

0-800-644-6988

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

[e-mail]

303807

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1   DEATH, With Science

Chapter 2   The 10 Years Lost. FOUND!

Chapter 3   Little Peace and Quiet

Chapter 4   A Traveling Revelation

Chapter 5   Untouched Findings

Chapter 6   Following Old Footprints

Chapter 7   Bitter Emptiness

Chapter 8   The Long Way Home

Chapter 9   Captured

Chapter 10   Church bells, and unpleasant visits

Chapter 11   Without Trace!

Glossary/Descriptions

Preface

I was basically motivated by 4 people to write this adventure story. The 1st person is Japie Coetzee, author of ‘Die Flugteling: André de la Fontaine’, for his book that still today holds a personal place in my heart since I was fourteen when I first wanted to start a book. The 2nd person is my late father Christian Mauritz ‘Blikkies’ Blignaut, who motivated me to start writing my book as soon as I told him about the book I want to write in 2003/2004. Unfortunately he is no longer with us but in our hearts. The 3rd person was J.R.R Tolken for his books ‘The hobbit’ and all three ‘Lord of the Rings’ books. This motivated me tremendously even after the movie was made by Peter Jackson. The 4th person is my current girlfriend who got me so motivated to actually start writing in June 2009, and since then for almost two years she kept me so excited to finish the book as she reads it and gives feedback as I write. That gave me such a boost. Just a shame I hadn’t had much time to work on my book the past almost two years to finish much sooner.

I was born in Eshowe KZN and grew up in Mandini KZN (Kwazulu Natal South Africa) where my heart still lays, which is an amazingly beautiful world with all the tropical forests that I love and near the beach that I too love of cause. Since I was a child I am a person for nature and wildlife that I love. I am also a religious person and strict about it too. Like any other child I grew up with friends and a lot without friends. I went through school and College like most kids. My background is actually electrical and electronic engendering; unfortunately I couldn’t find word in this area and landed in retail since 1999. Today I am an assistant manager at a leading retail store and love my job.

Furthermore, I am 32 years old and divorced with two kids that stay with their mom. My son Shayne, 8, and my daughter, 4, are my world and my everything. Fortunately I see them often. Currently I am working on my next book and hopefully this time be finished sooner.

Thank You

Werner Blignaut

Chapter 1

DEATH, With Science

Foggy day, October 13th, 2045.

The sun is barely shining through the clouds whilst soft rain drops falling from the sky. Dripping on the black coffin with a gold plate with a name engraved on: ‘Dr/Prof Michael D. Crawford III PhD’, which is slowly being dropped into the grave. Sadness and sorrow is veiled on every ones faces. How could God take away such a good human being, who won the Nobile prize twice for scientific discoveries and designs that improved today’s life, and could have done so much more, for humanity! David’s heart is full of hate and anger. With a single tear flowing from his cheek and anger on his face, he just gazes at the coffin sinking into this dark and cold hole. His father was barely 55 years old and dearly to him.

Although, his father wasn’t very much around throughout his teen years growing up. But his father loved him so much, and David knew it. He just wishes his dad was more at home . . . especially the last 10years.

Since David’s 15th Birthday his dad was very much isolated in his private laboratory secured under the house where the basement used to be, for the last 10 years working on a private new science project. For days and nights it went like that where David ate supper all alone, and had breakfast alone. Went to school by himself, goes to college by himself and graduated from university without his dad there. As his dad he majored in a variety of physics and science and a few others.

David’s dad was a great family man, but since his mom died a month before his 15th birthday and 2years after his dad won the 2nd Nobel prize, his dad changed allot in a strange way. As if his work becomes more important than his only son or even himself!

For years David wondered what’s going on with his dad and got worried. But as time goes by he learned that is just his way for his dad to handle the death of his mom. She was a wonderful person, Claire Sera Crawford. So lovingly and caring and so beautiful with long dark hair and bright blue eyes. Sadly the cancer ate through her liver and kidneys and wasn’t possible for any transplants. She loved the life they had in a small town with few people who knows everyone. While his dad Michael worked on Important and some Secret Government science projects, she ran an art gallery in town which most of the paintings she painted herself, one of her favorite hobbies.

David went to school, was a top ace student and a very good athlete. Instead of holiday camp trips, David helped his dad in the lab combining formulas, preparing the instruments for a very special science project research and designs which won the Nobile price when he was just 9years old.

The NucliGelion Fuel Cell. A Gel like substance, that put out a burning force twice the amount of a single nuclear chamber in a nuclear power plant and last 48% longer, it does not contains any nuclear substances and works only in very high pressurized chambers to ignite and also it’s save to the environment.

This improved space rocket launches thrust by 79% giving far more speed and uses lower fuel consumption than the rocket fuel they used.

The second Nobile prize his dad won was when David was 13, for the incredible design of the I2 space rocket ship, called ‘The Crawford Eye’, that uses an advanced NucliGelion Fuel Cell technology that made Space Travel Possible to Mars, within 7 weeks from departure from the earth to Mars in April 2033. So got David his love for science and wants to walk in his father’s footsteps. His family was very religious, even as they worked in the lab his dad spoke allot about God and the Bible. It was the best years in David’s life.

Two days after his graduation David got the phone call from the family doctor and friend, Dr. Wilfred. His father had just died of a heart attack, which stunned the whole town, because he was one of the healthiest men in the country. Ran several Marathons, done allot of athletics and sports with David. A question on every one’s mind of what happened. David had barely seen his dad for almost 2 years. Every break he visits home his father wasn’t there and was in some other parts of the country or the world for research. Not sure what kind of research, but strangely he visited a lot old and ancient chapels, and interviewed allot of priests, monks, pastors and specially Biblical Historians.

But the last two years it was very odd, the few times, maybe two or three times he saw his father, his father was very paranoid as if he’s scared of something, or someone. David could never understand what’s going on, not even confronting his dad could shed light on what’s going on. The oddly appearances of his dad scared him. The last time he saw his dad, his dad was in a trans like state, as if he saw a ghost or something. He remembers the last conversation his father and him had before he left for his last semester in university:

Son said his father half scared with a slight stutter.

Yes, Dad? David replied curiously

I . . . There’s some things you need to know . . . Some things I need to show you, and share with you! His father said while looking around.

What is it dad? David wants to know.

I . . . I can’t tell you now! he said afraid, the next time you visit! he said assured.

Okay, dad. Then I’ll see you in 4 months again. David said walking to his car.

SON! his father shouted running to him. Embraces him.

I love you my son, I always have. And sorry I wasn’t around the last few years. But . . . Soon you’ll understand. I love you so much David!

I love you u too dad.

Tears flowed from both their eyes. David got in his car and drove off. That was the last time they spoke and for two years they hadn’t seen or talked to one another. A week before his father’s death he received missed calls from his dad, quite a lot. But when he returns the call . . . no answer . . .

After every one has left the cemetery and sand is covered over the grave, David still stood there gazing at the grave. After a couple of hours he got in his car and drove home. A couple of houses away he noticed a vehicle with dark tinted windows in front of an empty house. David was sure he saw that same vehicle at the funeral today. He then entered his home founding that is was trashed as if someone broke in. But nothing was stolen and clearly someone was searching for some-thing. It was late midday and he just drove 480km all the way home after his graduation, very tired he just put his bags in his room, took a shower and went to bed.

He slept peacefully the whole night and woke up by 8am. After he got up and ready for the day he went down to his father’s lab. The security door was broken by force with it looks like mild explosives. The whole lab was trashed. Now what would they have taken he couldn’t understand. Nothing was missing as it seems. David slowly picks up a microscope and broken bottle pieces, starting to clean up the mess. The doorbell rings. He went up to look who it could be. It was a courier service delivering a package that turned out to be only an envelope.

After signing for the letter on an electronic touchpad, the courier man left and David went inside. On the envelope only his name and address was on the front but no returned address. Strangely he noticed the posting stamp that it came from the local post office with a second stamp-sticker that is a picture of Carl Lewis, the fastest man on earth about 60 years ago, which was weird Because there’s no such stamps available . . . He opened the envelope and found only a small piece of fold up paper in half. With words that just read:

"9.86

Einstein’s Time reckoned that if entering a wurm hole in space, one will find themselves in another universe . . .

Love Dad"

Curiously he tried reading it again over and over. Could not understand why his dad sends him this. And it’s dated October 11th, 2045. The day he died? What could it mean? He folds it back the way it was put it in the envelope and in his pocket it goes.

For breakfast he thought he’ll rather go eat at the diner for there was no food in the house at all. David drove in to town through the streets where he grew up, reminiscing the times he played hockey in the street and stingers in that field over there, his first kiss under that huge oak tree . . . picturing it in his mind as he goes. A sadness comes up in him and just as he was about to shed a little tear he noticed a black vehicle with dark tinted windows, the same one as yesterday.

David drove to the town mall, parked his car and walk inside. Wow, the place sure grew since the last time he was here. More businesses, shops and the shopping mall got extended too. A little lost he get when he realized that the regular diner is not on the same space anymore that is now a shoe store. Eventually he found a new restaurant/fast foods place that he enters as a bell rang that hang above the door when the door opens hitting the bell and sit at a table. A cute waitress with light red/blond hair, green eyes, a light skin tone, bright white teeth and a gorgeous smile approaches him.

Hi there, I’m Melissa, can I get you anything to drink? She said taking out a short half blunt yellow pencil with a pink rubber at the end and a little flip book.

Hello, yes please. I’d like some black coffee with two sugars . . . and ehh . . . what is your breakfast specials?

We have omelets served with a foot long russian and two toast breads and slices of tomatoes, our long john omelets . . . then we have four rashers of bacon with two baked eggs slices of tomatoes with avocado and a pork sausage . . . our porky Joe’s, then we have our top seller, Meli’s Muffin Munch . . . she named the types of breakfasts when David starts to giggle a bit.

 . . . what’s the matter? she asked with a skew smile.

Oh, nothing. Just that the names are quite of the funny sort of names to call a breakfast. he said smiling through a little giggle.

Hey . . . I’ll have you know I named these breakfasts. My uncle owns this place. she said smiling gesturing with the small pencil in her hand pointing at him.

Oh, then it’s understandable . . . I guess then your steaks called flaming red beeffies? said David teasingly smiling.

With a crooked laugh she put her one hand on her hip.

oh . . . is that because I’m red headed? Wow! What a snappy come back . . . very funny . . . she snaps back winking with sarcasm nodding her head. Then just before David could say anything she froze and pointed at him.

Hey! You’re David . . . David Crawford, you just came back from university . . . it’s me, Melissa . . . Melissa Harding? You used to tease me in school . . . ‘Mel-hard’.

Oh RIGHT . . . Mel-Hard . . . u sat next to me in math . . . Wow, you look good! When did you remove your braces? David said surprised

Ah, thanks for reminding me I looked like a geek, but thanks for noticing. It came off a year ago.

What! No! You looked like a cute geek, so adorable. he teases a bit with devils in his eyes.

Oh, so you said I DO look like a geek? Why thank you for that one. she teases back. Immediately his smiled dimmed and half uncomfortable.

No . . . err. I meant that, you . . . she started to giggle and then he realized she took him for a joke.

You always was so easy to fool, David, Yet you’re so intelligent just like your D . . . and just before she could say dad she froze.

oh! I’m Sorry! I . . . now she uncomfortably tried to apologize.

It’s okay Melissa, thanks. So? What do you have been up to after school? he replied.

Well, I went to college graduated as an art major . . . and end up working here ever since.

Wow, art? That’s so cool, just like my mom. Why don’t you open up an art gallery here, it will do good. I remembered how you come over and barely play with me then you ran off to my mom as soon as you see she carries paint brushes, you painted together since you were very little till the day she passed away. She liked you allot. I always wondered if you were visiting me to get to my mom or pretending to be with my mom to get to me? David teased winking at her. She blushes as she turns red in the cheeks.

What time you finish work today? David asks.

About 3pm. she replies.

Do you wana go grab a shake or a bite to eat or watch a movie?

I’d love too! she smiles at him.

After she brought him his breakfast that he orered and ate it all, he noticed two men dressed in dark black suits and black glasses sitting left behind him with straight faces who he realized they sat there for quite some time after he came in the restaurant. She brings the receipt with two mints and a little note with her cell phone number and two hearts with an x in-between.

David signed the receipt and gave a hefty tip with a returned note with his cell number on with returning hearts. He left the restaurant and just as he passes her