Afterlife

By Nancy Loyan

Kalden Nicholas, a man of science, has lost all he loved on Earth, but the pull of space and new discoveries drives him on a one-way mission to the far reaches of the universe.

Landing on a mysterious planet, his perceptions of life, death and beyond are challenged and tested in ways he could never have imagined. Finding renewed purpose, he returns to Earth where he learns that faith cannot be proven, and one person can make a difference.

After all, Earth is just a training ground for the Afterlife.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Schuemann Enterprises LLC
• Release date: Mar 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9780996895644

Book preview

Dedicated to God, the Creator

Copyright © 2018 Nancy L. Schuemann

ISBN: 978-0-9968956-4-4

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

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

Printed in the USA.

Book cover by Steven Novak Illustration

Interior Format by The Killion Group, Inc.

Acknowledgments

I was raised Catholic, but have been a member of Protestant churches during my adult life. I consider myself more spiritual than devout. Though a Christian, I am accepting of other faiths, beliefs and even non-beliefs. We are indeed climbing the same mountain, but taking different paths to reach the top.

This novel is special, as it is the most unusual work I have ever produced. My previous novels have been women’s fiction and romance. This is my first foray into science fiction. In my youth, I was a fan of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. I watched Star Trek, and was a fan of the crew of the Enterprise. I was a contributor to the science blog, Mysterious Universe.

The inspiration for this novel came to me in church during a sermon. The subject pertained to Heaven and the idea for this story was born. I actually whipped out a small notebook from my purse and began writing while seated in the pew. I came home and outlined the storyline. This novel possessed me, begging to be written. I put other projects on hold to complete this work.

I would like to thank some brilliant minds for helping to add some science to my fiction:  Pete Mrowca and Christopher Palda. I especially want to thank fellow author Diane Jewkes for her insights and editing assistance.

This is a work of fiction. Thus, the descriptions are a figment of my imagination. I am not a theologian or Bible scholar, far from it. I am not attempting to instill any beliefs on anyone. Nor am I blaspheming anyone’s beliefs or religion. I am dedicating this book to God, because the Creator has given me the gift of storytelling and for that I am grateful. 

This novel comes from the realms of my imagination.

N.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty; darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters …"

Holy Bible, New International Version

Foreword

The Year 2067

My life on Earth was over. Reclining in the cushioned seat of the capsule peering through the curved front window, a galaxy of stars spread out before me into the far horizon. They filled the vast darkness with shimmering specks of light; faceted diamonds set against the black nothingness, an abyss as empty as my heart.

I clicked on the video recorder, cleared my throat, and began to speak. I have been propelled out of the Earth’s atmosphere, heading toward the unknown, a solo traveler. Only the persistent hum of the craft’s mechanicals keep me company. Out of communication range with mission control on Earth, the silence I craved would be my new normal. The engineers at NASA and the InterGalactic Space Agency wished me luck as I embarked on a journey no one had ever dared to take. Theirs would be the last human voices I would ever hear. The thought lent me pause and the reality of my mission has set in. My other missions were short-term, and I had always returned to Earth. Earth was my home. Was.

NASA/InterGalactic were seeking an experienced volunteer who was willing to leave Earth forever in search of other planets and life forms outside of our galaxy. Though unmanned drones had been launched, the need for a human perspective was lacking. This human guinea pig would relay physiological and psychological data and insights about the great unknown and vast universe. Unmanned spacecraft, robotics, and telescopes had traversed the far reaches of the universe. However, they could only deliver hard data and photographs. They lacked the personal experience and observations that only a human could offer. An astronaut could conduct more intricate experiments, log in the human physical and mental challenges, and offer human opinions that could prove helpful for future manned exploration. I clicked off the recorder.

I had the credentials and the desire. Experience had sent me into the outer reaches of the universe numerous times. My extended stints on Habitat, the International Space Station, the lunar substation, asteroid substations, and the remote Martian outpost served me well. Conducting spacewalks and mechanical repairs were my specialties, and I had worked on numerous experiments on self-sufficiency, sustainable life, harvesting resources in inhospitable environments, and coexisting with other life forms. I wanted to dispute the Fermi Paradox: the age-old question of if there was such a high probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations, why hadn’t Earthly mankind encountered it?  My dream and quest was to discover and communicate with other unknown forms of intelligent life. NASA and InterGalactic’s goal was to find another planet that could sustain life, should Earth perish. Lofty ambitions

My body and my mind had been analyzed, psychoanalyzed, scanned, pricked, probed, and prodded. Numerous questionnaires, psychological tests, and health exams were taken. After all was said and done, I was the chosen one.

Some people questioned my sanity. After all, who would look forward to leaving Earth forever? Who would partake of a one-way experimental mission? There were so many variables to consider. I would be on my own, out of rescue and communication range. I would have limited resources, and no one could predict the journey’s length or outcome. Some considered it a suicide mission.

I leaned back in my padded seat, contemplating the syringe I held in my hand. Did I have a death wish? Perhaps. The vial of amber liquid was paramount to the lengthy mission. The controls had already been programmed to autopilot. The air temperature and oxygen levels were set. I was comfortable in my fleece sweat suit and orthopedic tennis shoes with compression socks. The massage mechanism in my seat was set to subtly vibrate. All I had left to do was inject the medication into a wrist vein. I drew a deep breath, knowing that it could be my last. I aspirated the syringe and jabbed my wrist to inject the liquid into my vein. Removing the syringe, I tossed it into trash and awaited the lengthy slumber.

Yes, I had volunteered for a solo one-way space mission to explore new galaxies.

I am an astronaut.

Chapter 1

In the beginning …

An alarm beeping wildly startled me awake from a deep sleep. Flashing red lights blinded me as I forced open my eyes. I reached out, trying to quell the alarm, but swatted warm air. The reality that I wasn’t in my king-sized bed at home hit me. I leapt up, gaze darting around, and realized that I was in the command module of my spacecraft. In front of me were the controls, red and blue lights blinking, and scrolling data registering everything from air speed, propulsion, to outside air temperature. I stood, looking out of the front window. Before me was a vast universe of shimmering stars, unlike any I had viewed before. These stars were different. Multicolored, and of various sizes, they shimmered like multi-faceted jewels. They twinkled pink, green, blue, red, yellow, violet, and a mixture of hues against a backdrop of deep indigo, spinning, and twirling: forming unique patterns, a kaleidoscope of color. I was in awe of the celestial magic dancing before me.

Holy shit, I mumbled. Not only had I awakened from the medically induced coma, I was in a totally unique environment.

Looking at the coordinates, the reading seemed impossible. I recorded an entry into my space log. This audio log, in addition to the video log, would be transmitted to Earth through radio waves, taking years to travel.

Five million light years from Earth, I started. Beyond the 2.5 million light years needed to travel from the Milky Way galaxy to the Andromeda galaxy, and beyond to the great unknown. Since one light year equals 6 trillion or so miles, I have ventured farther than any human or spacecraft. I am alive.

I looked down at my hand. I see no signs of aging. I stared at my reflection in the glass. I look the same as I had when I blasted off, a thirty-five year old male with a crew cut, and dimples. There seems to be no physical reaction to the long journey.

The injection had indeed suspended me in time. No one had ever explored this far and experienced the effects of long term space travel. After looking at the gauges and data, I added, My craft has also endured the journey unscathed. 

I mused, Captain’s log, Starship Quest … I have gone where no man has gone before … The line from the vintage series Star Trek, a favorite program during my childhood and the reason why I decided to pursue a career in space travel. Like Captain Kirk, I was exploring the great unknown. Unlike Kirk, however, I was alone without the wisdom of Spock, the engineering skills of Scotty and the rest of the crew.

Oh, Avery, you would be so proud of me, I said, and my mood turned melancholy.

I swallowed hard. Avery was the reason I pursued and accepted this mission. She had been my wife and the only woman I had ever loved. When I lost her, I had no reason to live. Without her, Earth held no meaning. Leaving Earth in the name of science was one way to end the suffering, emptiness, and the pain I endured.

She was my biggest cheerleader, supporting my career with NASA and the InterGalactic Space Agency as I explored the realms of outer space. We met in college where I was working on my PhD in aerospace engineering and she was an undergraduate majoring in art. Who would have thought that a left-brain and a right-brain could get along, yet alone fall in love? Somehow, we complemented one another. She kept me grounded, no pun intended.

Pondering the beauty before me, I could only wonder how transfixed Avery would be if she were here to experience the glittering spectacle in this far away galaxy. The vibrant iridescent jewel colors were a palette she would have wanted to replicate. What had drawn me to her was her fascination with outer space. Where I wanted to explore it, she wanted to paint it. I had poured over photographic images of the universe for research and lent them to her to duplicate on canvas in her own unique way. She romanticized the heavens with vivid hues and textures.

Stars and nebulae glimmered on her canvas in bold colors and bright light. The ethereal rings of Saturn and the intensity of the burning sun with dancing solar flares were depicted with dramatic handiwork. Comet’s tails and black holes appeared infinite and intimidating. The darkness of the vast universe contrasted with the beauty of extraterrestrial objects. Outer space was more than a place, it was an experience with emotion revealed by her brush strokes. The images were captivating.

I could see her aqua eyes open wide with wonder, long black lashes batting wildly. Her lips parted in awe as she shook her head of wavy wheat-colored hair. She would stretch up on her tiptoes and kiss me. I would slip my arms around her slim waist as we gazed into each other’s eyes. She would whisper, Thank you for sharing the wonders that she imagined.

A hot tear escaped my eye. Who said that life was fair?

The craft jolted and I teetered. I grabbed the headrest of the recliner for support. The flaming tale of a comet blasted past my window. That was a close call. A comet or a meteor could prove catastrophic. It interrupted the peacefulness of the glittering stars. Outer space was a dichotomy of peace and violence, sort of like life on Earth. Only nature, and not humans was the force to be reckoned with.

Back to reality, I said. Training kicked in. I couldn’t let my guard down and needed to be prepared for anything.

Sitting, I went over the sky charts and coordinates to determine where I was and where I was headed. The target of the mission was to discover other planets with an atmosphere similar to Earth where life could possibly be sustained. With over 5 million light years traveled and billions of stars, surely there had to be other inhabitants. Mankind couldn’t be the only beings in such a vast universe. 

A change on the monitor caught my attention. The telescope had detected a far away object resembling a planet with an orbiting moon in the Trillium Galaxy. The image drew me in. The multi-hued spherical body floating amidst the stars resembled Earth. Data streaming on the screen indicated it rotated on an axis and the infrared thermal spectrum showed atmospheric readings similar to Earth. It registered moderate temperatures sustainable to life, yet had no sun to radiate warmth. It, and its moon, were moving through the universe instead of remaining stationary in a set orbit. This defies known science! I knew I had to explore it.

Setting my coordinates and verifying my calculations, I knew it would take an Earth month to reach the mysterious planet. Did it matter how long the journey took? I had nothing but time. Adrenaline set my heart racing as I punched in the coordinates. After updating the ship’s log, I settled back into my recliner, alone with my thoughts.

Chapter 2

Let there be light …

As the ship entered the orbit of the mysterious planet, I observed its moon had an eerie ruby red cast with a steamy gas ring lingering around it. My gauges showed a high temperature like the center of Death Valley in the summer heat. I shivered, uneasy. My gut told me to skip its exploration and concentrate on the new planet.

I fired the engine setting a course to orbit the planet, observing it from space. Like Earth, there were mountains, oceans, lakes, rivers, and landmasses. Water could mean life.  This is very promising. I continued checking the data.

Curiously, there wasn’t any dark side on this planet and no detectable source for the sunlight. The climate seemed moderate and calm with no weather patterns visible. No volcanoes or volcanic activity were evident and ice caps were missing as well.

As I circled, I didn’t encounter any other craft. Not like Earth, dodging all the space junk, trying not to wreck. A weird sense of calm washed over me. All communication channels were open, but there was silence. No electronic or radio waves were evident. I sent signals attempting communication, but there wasn’t an