Parallel Challenges: PARALLEL MISSIONS, #2

By Larry L. Sydow

What would you do if you encountered a person from another universe—a parallel universe? Derek and Margo saved the life of such a man and were recruited by him to join a cause far greater than any they could imagine. The couple were given advanced training and equipment for the work they were asked to do. They planned to a month-long "vacation" to Europe with Tomas and his wife Judith. Thus, two couples from parallel universes team up to turn violence to peace in both worlds.  Their Missions utilize futuristic information and technology making it possible to travel through wormholes and space warps to intervene in crisis in distant locations while appearing to be on that European vacation. "As it is in one universe, so it will be or has been in others."  They must contend with terrorists, governments, aliens, and saboteurs, all wanting to stop their Missions, eliminate them, and/or commandeer their Ship.  In the second book of the Parallel Missions series, encounters with alien species create both problems that could lead to disaster and opportunities that may increase their Team support. Approximate length-300 pages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Sydow
• Release date: Jan 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781386898702

Larry L. Sydow

       Larry Sydow is a retired pastor. He received his B.A. Degree from Midland University in Fremont, NE, and his Master of Divinity Degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He previously published “Let Them Answer,” a book of children’s sermons. When he retired, he planned to write a book compiling the best of the devotions he had been writing for almost fifteen years. However, as a Master Gardener, the other writing project on the back burner was a book of the stories medicinal herbs tell.       His writing was interrupted by his first retirement failure by a request that he serve as a nursing home chaplain.  During that time, he began writing science fantasy. The first book of the PARALLEL MISSIONS series, “Parallel Mission, the Journey Begins,” was published in 2017.  He failed retirement a second time when he was asked to fill in for a couple of months for a pastor in Roswell, NM going on medical leave. It was a position that lasted three years, during which he moved to Roswell and continued to write. The results were a continuation of the Parallel Missions Series.      Larry and his wife, Susan, have two children and two grandchildren living in the Seattle, WA area. In 2018 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Susan is an accomplished quilter. In addition to writing, Larry enjoys music. He sings, plays piano, organ, and guitar. He has written numerous songs for various occasions, including more than 20 “herb songs” illustrating the stories herbs can tell. ABOUT THE ARTIST     Pat Hittle became an artist quite by accident. Studying to become a theater director, she discovered she needed an art course to design her own scenery. She found that she enjoyed it so much that she studied the masters when she lived in Italy. When she returned to the U.S., she found that people wanted to buy her art, so she started entering shows successfully. Thus, she became a professional artist.

Book preview

Book 2 of the Parallel Missions Series

Larry L. Sydow

First Edition Copyright © 2018 Larry L. Sydow

Second Edition Copyright © 2021 Larry L. Sydow

All rights reserved.

eBook ISBN  978-138 689 8702

Print Book ISBN 978 139 399 8556

Parallel Challenges is a work of fiction.  All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s fertile imagination or are used fictitiously.

Independently Published

Dedicated to

Fellow travelers on the Journey

Henri and Amanda King Ndaya and Evangeline

David and Sandra Winslow

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

MY SINCERE APPRECIATION to those who read, proofed, and encouraged me to continue writing and publish the Parallel Mission Series:  Sue Sydow, Pat Hittle, Sandy Winslow, Bill & Ann Bruggeman, Marcia Skaar, Curtis Michael, and Carola Spreaker. Cover symbol created by Lorie Mitteer

Foreward

PARALLEL CHALLENGES

Connections, Confrontations, Deceptions & Discoveries

Book 2

Parallel Missions Series

"When the power of love

overcomes

the love of power,

the world will know peace."

Jimi Hendrix

DEREK AND MARGO ACKERMAN were looking forward to retirement in the next five years.  Their grown children have left the nest and have children of their own.  Derek is a human relations consultant for a high-end furnishings manufacturer in Omaha, Nebraska.  Margo is the executive secretary for the owner of a publishing company. 

They crossed paths with Tomas Talbert from a Parallel universe. Tomas recruited them to join him in creating a Team in this Parallel. The Team's purpose is to save not only this world but other parallel worlds.  As on Earth, so in Parallel, is the principle on which their rescue Missions embark.

After a visit to the Qualto Parallel, a universe many centuries advanced over Earth, they returned to this world, ready for the Missions in which Parallel asked them to intervene.  They returned to this world less than half an hour after entering Parallel, but three years older chronologically and 20 years younger mentally and physically.  During their stay, they volunteered to be implanted with language chips allowing them to read, write, and speak numerous languages.

Tomas' wife Judith, also from the Qualto Parallel, joined him in Omaha. As a team with Derek and Margo, they used advanced technology and equipment, enabling them to manage rapid transit using worm holes, space warp, and the Ship’s capabilities.  Bart, an on-board computer, controls all functions of the cigar-shaped Ship.  The Qualto Parallel supplied the Team with advanced equipment in existence or on scientists' drawing boards in this Earth Parallel.  The Parallel Command Team, which sent Tomas and Judith, refuses to allow the Team to use any technology more advanced because of a universal Non-Interference Law.  Tomas and Judith are not supposed to take the lead in the Missions on the Earth Parallel, but may serve as advisors, observers, and consultants.  That line is often hard to define and gets pushed to its limits.

The Team is on guard for those who want to prevent any change in either worlds’ history.  Individuals from Parallel, other alien species, and many government organizations are attempting to stop them.  They know that many of those same groups want to hijack their technology to ensure their own agendas.  The Team knows unfriendly parallel universes and several varieties of aliens from other planets and other galaxies are interested in capturing and/or destroying them.

With Parallel Command’s encouragement, the Team is turning a simple European vacation into a working one.  Utilizing Bart and the Ship, they travel vast distances on Earth to rescue people whose lives will make a difference in the future. The speed of their travel gives the impression they never left their vacation itinerary.  Their message to their antagonists and to those they rescue is: Violence begets violence. Peace begets peace. It is the message echoed in every intervention. 

Derek, Margo, Tomas, and Judith have traveled in England and France, spending an additional day in Strasbourg, France, where they helped a family down on their luck.  Jacque, the father, had lost his job—again—because his wife and two children were sick and required his help.  Conditions began turning around for the family when Tomas found Jacque a better-paying job.  Unfortunately, their landlord kicked the family out, and Tomas again came to the rescue, using his contacts to get them a new and better apartment. 

As they left to continue their travels, they noticed that a mysterious car was following them.

1-Heinrich’s Cab

DAY 12 OF A WORKING Vacation–Friday, August 12

The four Team members said goodbye to the Dubois family and made their way to the old taxi that had taken them to their new apartment.  Heinrich, the young man driving the cab, had agreed to wait for them while they said their farewells. 

Derek used his small computer to point out to Tomas, Judith, and Margo, a suspicious Peugeot, parked a half-block from them. Quickly checking their handheld computers for warnings, they found nothing. With a nod and eye contact, they silently agreed to keep an eye on it.

Judith, Margo, and Tomas sat in the back seat.  Derek moved a pile of books to the center of the front seat to give himself room.  He noticed two of the books were by Albert Schweitzer: The Quest of the Historical Jesus and Civilization and Ethics.  Two other books on the pile were Unity and Mission of the Church by Pierre Bugelin and Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Their driver was like a caricature out of a Laurel and Hardy movie.  He was in his early 20s, slender, handsome, clean-shaven, and dressed in worn and baggy clothes, with a battered, misshapen beret on his head.  He had been very happy to help them store their packages and backpacks in the trunk of the older-model, well-kept car.  His ruffled, dark, blond hair escaped the strange-looking beret.  Without the hat, it was not hard to imagine him with a monk’s tonsure in need of a trim.

As the driver seated himself, he spoke in French with a distinct German accent. My name is Heinrich... Heinrich Hoffmann.  You want me to take you to the hotel to pick up your luggage and then take you to the train?  Is that correct?

Yes, Tomas responded. Heinrich doesn’t sound like a French name.

"Nein, ich bin Deutsch. No, I’m German. You are Americans, he said in French.  I can tell by your bags.  But you speak such excellent French!  The French are a bit snooty about foreigners butchering their language, never mind the way many Frenchmen do the same with English and German.  Except for the tags on your backpacks, I would have guessed you were natives of the Alsace-Lorraine region."

Thank you, they chorused.

Before shifting the cab into gear, he asked, Where are you off to?

Margo replied, We’re taking the train to Baden-Baden.

Really!?  I’m from Kurhaus-Baden, or I should say, my mother is.  It’s only a few miles from Baden-Baden.  If you can wait until tomorrow morning, I will drive you there.  I’m going to visit my mother!  It would be a lot more convenient for you.  That train doesn’t leave until 7:20 this evening.  As it is, you will have to change trains twice before you get to Baden-Baden, and you will arrive there in the middle of the night.  Then you will have to get a taxi.  Do you already have hotel reservations?

Judith answered, No.  We were hoping there would be plenty of rooms available.

"It is a resort town where people go for bathing in the mineral waters.  This time of year, there will be lots of elderly.  Most rooms will be full.  Since you don’t have reservations, why don’t you stay one more night here in Strasbourg?

I have a few days off from my studies and my taxi duties.  I will be happy to pick you up at the time you like and drive you to Baden-Baden.  This is my car, so I will only charge you for the petrol.  It will not be as expensive as taking the train.

Derek asked, Are you sure you’d want to do that... on your days off?

I would be honored.  Among other things, I’m studying to be a tour guide, and, if you don’t mind, I’ll practice on you and give you a guided tour all the way to Baden-Baden.

What do you think? Derek asked the others.

It sounds wonderful to me! Margo said.  I’m exhausted.  I’d just as soon spend a relaxing night here rather than on a train.

Tomas added, The thought of train changes and hotel hunting in the middle of the night doesn’t thrill me either.

Good point, Judith chimed in.  Besides, I’d like to rest a little before we go out to eat.  I saw this nice little restaurant around the corner from the hotel that I thought would be fun to visit.

Great! Derek said as Heinrich checked the traffic and shifted the cab into gear.

Derek watched the Peugeot in the side-view mirror pull in behind the cab with its lights off.  It was light enough that the lights weren’t necessary, but in Europe, all lights came on automatically, and the driver had to turn them off manually. 

At the stop sign, the Peugeot allowed a car to get between them, but closed the gap when the other driver turned.  Even when Heinrich’s cab made several turns, their Peugeot-tail stayed with them.

Heinrich, Derek said as unemotionally as he could, have you noticed that gray Peugeot following us with no lights?

Yes!  I thought it was just my imagination, but I’ve taken some unnecessary turns to check them out.  Are they friends of yours?

Not that I know.  Can you lose them?

Happy you asked! 

Heinrich spoke up so the three in the back would hear. Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves.  In a couple of blocks, I’m going to take us on a few fun detours.  Your friends back there may have trouble keeping up.

He picked up an old phone set, touched a button, and said, Patch me through to my friend Jean, the gendarme, as quickly as possible.  I have a problem child on my tail.

The radio squawked briefly.  Heinrich, is that you?

Yes!  I need some interference.  He described the car and his location.  The gendarme gave his location.  It will take about five minutes, and we’ll exit the alley a block from where you are parked.

I’ll be waiting.  There’s a parking garage not far from my location.  Slip into there to lose them.  I’ll put my lights on and take chase, but I doubt they’ll stick around.  If I catch them, shall I hold them for you?

Heinrich looked to Derek, who shook his head.

No, just put a little fear into them.  You can charge them for driving with their lights off.

Heinrich stomped on the gas, whipped around the corner to the right, down a narrow side street, then made a quick left down an alley, scaring several rats who scampered into the shadows.  After three more quick turns and two dips that caused the passengers to bump their heads on the top of the cab, Heinrich turned the wrong way on a deserted one-way street for a block and a half before gliding into another alley that appeared to be a dead end.  At the last minute, before slamming into a wall, Heinrich took a sharp left that took the breath out of all his passengers.

The Peugeot was having difficulty keeping up, but Derek could see they weren’t falling far behind.  Heinrich tore out of the alley and onto a street not far from a parked gendarme. Almost immediately, he whipped around a parked car and into the parking garage where he applied his brakes, pulling behind a large van.  He rolled down his window to listen as the siren of a police car screamed to life. 

The radio squawked.  You owe me one!

You got it! Heinrich replied.

With that, Heinrich calmly backed the cab out of the parking place and drove to the exit.  The clerk at the booth recognized Heinrich.  You didn’t stay long enough, Heinrich.  I’ll never get rich this way.  I heard the siren.  Was Jean after you?

No, Rolph.  Great story.  I’ll tell you sometime.  Got to scrape these fine people off the ceiling of my cab and get them to their hotel.  I’ll stop by another time to tell you about it.

You do that, my friend.

Margot found her voice and asked, Do you know everybody in this town?

No, just the ones that matter.

Tomas commented, You definitely know every street and alley in this town.  You may not have lost that Peugeot, but I, for one, am totally lost.  I don’t even know which direction we’re going.

That was some incredible driving, Judith agreed.  The driver of that Peugeot had to be a professional.  I can’t believe you didn’t lose him.

No problem, Heinrich said.  I’ll have you to the hotel in just a few more minutes.

True to his word, Heinrich pulled the cab up to the hotel.  Derek got out, feeling a little wobbly-legged at first.  Heinrich, wait here.  You may have a deal, but before you unload our bags, I’ll make certain we can get rooms for another night.

Derek returned a few minutes later.  Heinrich, you have a deal.  We have adjacent rooms.  He handed Heinrich a sizeable tip. See you at about 7:00 tomorrow morning?

I’ll be here!

Heinrich, Margo said, would you like to join us this evening for dinner?  We’d love to treat you and get to know you better.

That would be wonderful, he replied, but are you sure?  I know the restaurant you were talking about, and it’s expensive.  I can take you to one that would be a lot cheaper.

Thanks for the thought, but I agree with Judith.  I have my heart set on that restaurant too.

Then I won’t object!  I’m so used to eating cheap. I’m not sure I’ll know how to act.

Tomas said, It’s 4:30 now.  How about meeting us in the hotel lobby at about 7:00?

Sounds good to me.  That will give me time to pick up a couple more fares before going to my apartment to clean up a bit.  I’ll be here at 7:00.

2-Derek’s Encounter

The two couples checked into their new rooms at the hotel.  Judith asked the hotel concierge to help her make reservations at the restaurant where they wanted to go.  He was happy to do so but warned her that it was very expensive.  She thanked him for the warning.  He made the call and informed her that they had one table for five at 7:30. It had just become available because of a cancellation.

They were pleased to see another couple from their previous tour asking Heinrich if he would take them to the train.  He smiled and stored their bags in the trunk.

As they walked to their rooms, Margo said, I hope it was alright to invite Heinrich to join us.  There was something about him.  When his hand brushed mine to take my bags, I briefly read his spirit, and that reading told me this young man is deeper than I thought.  I believe we need to get to know him better.  Derek, when you shook his hand, did you sense it?

I did, and I’d have to agree.  I’m very happy you invited him.  If you hadn’t, I would have.  That driving alone earned him a place at my table any day! 

Tomas and Judith agreed. 

They found their rooms and were pleased that they were nicer than the rooms they had the previous night.  Derek emptied his pockets, as he always did, before taking a nap.  He had just taken off his shoes and put his feet up when Margo said, Oh, fiddle sticks!

What’s the matter?

I forgot.  I gave Monique my last facial tissue.  I need some. I wonder if the desk has any.

Before I get settled, Derek said, I’ll run down and ask.  We can call down, but I’d like to buy some mints for later, anyway.  I’ll be right back.

He slipped on his shoes, grabbed the room key, and left.  The elevator was empty, but three men, all a little taller and larger than Derek, pushed past him as he got on.  He thought one of them looked familiar, but he was tired and didn’t want to start a conversation. 

Derek faced the front of the elevator and reached for the button for the lobby. Before touching the button, a sharp pain stung his neck.  As quickly as that, the lights went out–at least Derek’s lights.

Comin’ ‘round, are we? a gruff voice asked.

Derek was groggy and stiff.  The voice sounded familiar.  He realized he was blindfolded, tied hand and foot, and stretched out about as tight as his body would stretch.  His chest felt bare and shirtless, and his neck burned where someone had unsuccessfully attempted to jerk the pendant off the chain that kept him in contact with Bart, the Ship’s computer.  They gave up on breaking the chain since it was still attached.

As he moved his head, one of the men grabbed his face and pinched it.  Nice to see you’re with us again, Gravel-Voice said.  With his words came the odor of especially foul breath.  I have a little payback I want to share with you.  With that, he slapped Derek hard enough to make his ears ring and his eyes tear up.

Hang him up by his wrists on that hook high up on that post!

Derek felt the ropes that held his feet loosen, relieving the stretch on his arms.  The bindings were still tight around his ankles, so he had very little chance of using his feet or legs as weapons.  At the same time, two burly men grabbed his bound wrists and hoisted him up, turned him round to face the post, and attached his bindings to a hook.  He turned his head just in time to prevent his nose from slamming into the post.  As it was, the left side of his face took a painful hit.

His heart was already beating rapidly, but the sound of a whip cracking behind him sent a rush of adrenaline through his system, causing him to tense up.

You like the sound of that? Gravel-Voice asked. 

The strands of a cat-o’-nine-tails slid gently over his bare back.  Some sharp objects attached to those strands scratched the tender skin.  All he could utter was, Why?

"Why?  You embarrassed me, you beat me up, and you left me unconscious after I gave you a little love tap to your ribs.  And not just once.  The knife stuck in the ground near my family jewels might have been funny to you, but I have a nasty habit of having a poor sense of humor.  My bosses weren’t happy with me either.  I was lucky they let me live.

That was a merry little chase your cab driver took us on.  How did you arrange for the gendarme’s escort?  I think I’ll have to pay both of those gentlemen a not-so-friendly visit after I’ve had my fun with you.  So, let’s see if I can make you sing and wish you were dead.

With that, he heard a grunt as the whip was pulled back and slapped his back, full force.  The sting of the whip hitting his back brought pain, but the painful part came when the cat-o’-nine was yanked back, ripping chunks of his flesh out of his back with each strand.  The pain was excruciating!  Then, it struck again, and again, and....  Mercifully, he passed out.

When he regained consciousness, he was face down on a cot on the Ship. His eyes would only open a crack, but he sensed Margo, Tomas, and Judith. They were on their knees with their hands hovering over him. His breathing was labored, but the searing pain was gone. He caught a brief glimpse of tears streaking down Margo’s face.  Don’t move, my love.  We’re almost there.

Bart’s voice was music to his ears.  Two minutes to Portal.  Medical team standing by.

Derek passed out again, awakening in a sterile room.  His pain was gone, but the doctors were preparing for some type of surgery.  Noticing that he was conscious, the surgeon said, That knife didn’t do you any favors.  I hope you don’t mind that we removed it from your back.

Derek was too weak to respond, even if it hadn’t been for the tubes in his mouth and throat.  Then everything went dark again, and a blissful peace washed over him.

Welcome back! Margo said.

The grogginess slowly cleared as Derek returned to full awareness of his surroundings.  He was lying on a soft bed.  His back didn’t hurt.  He was alive, and his pain was gone.  That was all that mattered at the moment.

What happened? he whispered.  His mouth was dry.  Margo gave him some water.

Tomas explained, "Bart informed us that the vital signs from your pendant were going off the charts.  We pinpointed your location, and Bart urged us to investigate immediately.  All three of us raced to the roof and climbed aboard the Ship.  We immediately put on blue-gray uniforms as Bart took us to the location, which was only a mile from the hotel.  The gray Peugeot was parked outside.  We found you just as one of the men plunged a knife in your back.

Margo used her amplification on full to order them to stop.  All three of them pulled out guns and fired.  They were dead before their bodies hit the floor.

Margo said, Your whole back was a bloody mess.  I was terrified the knife had finished you off.  You didn’t even move!

Tomas raced back to the Ship to get a stretcher, Judith said.  I was afraid to remove the knife because of its position. Removing it could have caused even greater damage.

Tomas added, We took you down very carefully from the post.  Your dead weight and the knife made that extremely difficult.  I had to find an old bucket to stand on, and both Margo and Judith helped ease your body onto the stretcher.  Once we had you face down on the stretcher, we raced back to the Ship as gently and smoothly as possible. 

Margo said, I was almost paralyzed with worry and couldn’t think.  Fortunately, Judith and Tomas functioned efficiently.  Bart had provided a scroll with our standard warning speech on it, which Tomas placed under the gun of one of the gunmen. 

Tomas said, The gunshots had drawn attention to the building we were in, and by the time we left the building with you on the stretcher, a crowd of a half-dozen people was standing on the street, staring. At least two of them used their phones to film us or take pictures.

Judith added, They saw us take you on board the Ship, although they only saw your bloodied back and the knife sticking out of it.  They also saw the Ship ascend and disappear.

Margo said, Bart had already contacted Parallel, and the minute the hatch closed, we were on the way.  In the meantime, all three of us stripped off our masks and gloves, joined our spirits to yours, and sent healing energy into your back and the knife wound.

The damage to your back was bad, Judith said, but the damage caused by the knife was beyond anything any of us were capable of without killing you.  We don’t know how Bart managed, but we had you through the Port in record time.

They’ve had you in several parallels repairing all the internal damage, Margo added.  You’ve only been gone a little more than an hour, our time.  How are you feeling?

Derek sat up, took several deep breaths, and said, I feel fine and rested as if I just got up from a nap.  Taking Tomas’ hand, he stood up, bent over, and twisted.  I’m just fine.

Judith observed, They did a marvelous job of repairing your back. You have some scars, but they are well healed.

OK! Margo breathed a sigh of relief.  "So, tell us your side of the story. What happened?"

Derek explained his encounter on the elevator and everything leading up to passing out after almost a dozen lashes of the cat-o’-nine.  It seems like a dream–a nightmare....

If it hadn’t been for Bart and Parallel, Margo said, we’d be taking you home in a body bag and planning a funeral.  Their friends agreed.

So, let’s get back to Strasbourg, Derek urged.  Heinrich, I’m sure, gave up on us a long time ago.

Tomas said, I don’t think so.  I just checked with Bart.  You were gone quite some time to several parallel healers, but we’ve only been here a little over an hour, Earth time.  Bart informs me that a course through time and space has been plotted, including a wormhole and a space warp that’ll get us back to the hotel right at 7:00 p.m. Strasbourg time!  Once we get to our rooms, we’ll have the front desk send Heinrich up to our room while we clean up.

I had a shower in Parallel before my transfer to the Ship, Derek said, but I need a change of clothes. These coveralls don’t do much for me.

True to form, the Ship’s hatch opened onto the roof of the hotel at 6:57 p.m.  The foursome scrambled out of the Ship and into the hotel, making good time getting to their rooms. 

Judith called the front desk.  Indeed, Heinrich was on time and would be sent to the Talberts’ room.  On time, she announced to Tomas.  By 7:15, everyone was ready to go.

Heinrich had left his beret in the cab.  When he came to Tomas’ and Judith’s room, they didn’t recognize him without the beret.  His hair was combed and flattened with a splash of water.  His broad smile greeted them.  The Akermans had the same reaction when they entered through the door connecting their rooms. 

Heinrich politely shook hands and kissed each on the right cheek, then the left, in turn, saying Bonsoir (good evening).  All four of them took advantage of the opportunity to read his spirit during their greeting.  Glancing at one another, their smiles affirmed Margo’s earlier reading. 

As they walked to the restaurant, Heinrich told them, This is nice of you.  I’ve been living on peanut butter, cheese, and crackers.  I have a scholarship, but that only covers so much.  That’s why I’m driving a taxi and studying to be a tour guide.

We’re delighted to have you with us, Judith said.  "Your advice on our travels and your help tomorrow will be greatly appreciated.  I’m just happy you told us about the train schedule and the rooms in Baden-Baden.  I’d hate to get there and not have a