The Traveler's Return: Alien’s Prophecy Installment #2

By Dee Blackshear

In the TRAVELER’S QUEST, Seth’s normal life is turn upside down by blue men and time travel. The year is 1899. His Uncle Mac left him alien artifacts and the directions to a spaceship buried in the Australian Outback. They are to be used in the search for the Hydelea, a mysterious device hidden somewhere on Earth. Ibidimin, an alien who can change shape and size, tries to retrieve the device for his greedy purposes. In the resulting battle, Seth defeats him but not without consequences. The artifacts are now fused to him permanently. His green eye, silver band on his arm, and flying man branded on his leg enable him to visualize a location and travel there, whether on earth or planets in the Universe.

The TRAVELER’S RETURN begins with the three Travelers: Seth, Tony his half-alien brother, and Socar, his alien father from Ucat starting up the device inside the planet Ucat’s core.

The Sentinel, an angel in the guise of a small, shriveled man called the Historian, guides their actions. He sits in the Library on Ucat, a strange room that appears and disappears at his command.

After completing the placement of the Hydelea, the Historian sends the Traveler’s on other missions throughout the Universe. Dressed in the black Traveler’s coats, the three men use their special talents to rescue inhabitants of other planets, correct wrongs, and fight the ultimate evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dee Blackshear
• Release date: Dec 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005448776

Dee Blackshear

Check out my blog for information about me. http://dblackshear4writing.weebly.com/

Book preview

CHAPTER 1 Transfer of the Turquoise

Seth squinted against the sun’s intense glare. His black trench coat swirled around as he turned to glance in all directions across the barren landscape. Next to a huge boulder, a shadow moved.

Found him. His left eye gleamed bright green. Tapping on his right leg, in an instant, he landed behind the brooding man.

Anthony ignored him and continued to stare out over the parched Arizona landscape. After about five minutes of silence, he turned dark, iridescent eyes to study his brother. You’ve come to take me to Father.

No, to give you this. Seth approached Tony and pulled back his left sleeve to reveal a turquoise wrist band.

His older brother witnessed the stone slide down Seth’s hand and form a stick. What happens if I don’t want it?

Like me, I don’t think you have a choice, he answered.

Turning into a thick liquid, the substance slid from Seth's hand toward Anthony. Tunneling under his collar, the turquoise snaked down his arm. Now, settled around his right wrist, the material hardened to form a thick wristband. Tony’s eyes widened with shock. A burst of energy spiked through me. The sensation is different from anything I’ve experienced before.

Seth laughed and flipped back his right sleeve, revealing the silver web fused to his arm. Believe me; I understand what you’re talking about.

Tony studied the silver on his brother’s arm, and the turquoise band around his wrist. Sunlight reflected on both together. Arcs of light shot up and merged. A vision spread across the sky. On a distant planet, they fought strange aliens together; Seth wielding a shining sword, and Tony sending out energy pulses with his blue stick.

When the sunlight disappeared behind a cloud, the images slipped back into their bands.

"What was that? His brother gasped.

Our future. Something the historian hinted about, our purpose since birth. He showed me a bit of this before, but we need to concentrate on the present.

How did you find me?

Easy. Remember when Ibidimin kidnapped me? He transported Commander Guess and me on the airship to Egypt. I visualized the ship’s interior and landed in the control room. Surprised a couple of men. They yelled, ‘Ghost’ and pointed guns at me. After reassuring them my body was solid, and I meant them no harm, they directed me to your Commander. He acted happy to see me alive and well. We discussed Ibidimin and his disposal. Guess prodded me about Father and you. I held back revealing our heritage. His questions indicated he already suspected something.

His nose, almost like a bloodhound’s, sniffs out alien blood. Probably picked up on yours as well.

When I asked about you, he gave the location where you hide out.

I’m not hiding, only trying to adjust.

This whole situation is hard to accept. We both need time to absorb our past and future. At least you understood who our father was. I just now discovered, not only do I have an alien for a father, but also an older half-brother. Seth plopped down in the rock’s shade beside him. His left hand splayed out over the hot ground. In his tilting world, he needed to touch something solid. A whisper of skin sliding over rocks was his only warning. Before he could react, a sharp jab penetrated his wrist, and molten heat surged through his body.

Watch out, there’s a snake. Anthony pointed with his finger, and the turquoise band slid down to form a stick. A streak of white light shot out from the end transforming the reptile into a small pile of ash. Wow! Now that was unexpected!

With shaking fingers, Seth touched his right pant leg. Underneath the fabric, the branded image of the flying man pulsed with intense heat. At the same time, the silver web on his arm turned cold. Opposing sensations flowed through him in waves, fighting the venom. He leaned back and rested against the rock behind him. The whole episode lasted a few seconds. Only a spot of dried blood revealed where the snake's fang pierced his skin. As the quiet countryside soothed him, he yawned and drifted off to sleep.

Unaware of what happened; Anthony witnessed the stick flow up his hand and shape into a stone band around his wrist. Doesn’t any of this bother you?

At the question, Seth’s eyes opened in a narrow slit. Not anymore. When the artifacts healed me after Ibidimin's attack, the green glass absorbed into my eye and a silver mesh attached to my arm. But even before that, a part of your blue stick branded my leg with the flying man emblem. Considering everything, well-- You’ll adjust. Got any food? I’m hungry.

Anthony studied his younger brother with a curious expression.

Seth waited in silence. The brothers did not resemble each other, with no matching eyes, nose, mouth, or chin. Anthony was tanned from many hours in the sun. His long black hair, tied back with a ribbon, had blue streaks running through one side. His build, though tall, inclined to the thin side. Seth kept his light brown air, with a touch of red cut short. The black coat fitting tight across his shoulders revealed his powerful body. A deep scar streaking down the side of his face barely missed the right eye.

But inside, Socar's alien heritage flowed through their veins.

We need to go back to the base. The air turns cold when the sun goes down. Anthony lifted a travel bag over his shoulder and waited as his brother stood. Something in the slow way Seth moved caused him to ask, The snake bit you, didn’t it? You alright?

Yes, the silver band healed me, but I’m always tired afterward. Let me take us to the airship. Seth’s left eye again simmered with a green glow. He gripped Anthony’s arm and with his right hand, tapped the image on his leg.

They emerged inside a control room blinking with green and red lights. Rolls of shining knobs and gauges covered every wall. The ship belonged to the Secret Alien Bureau. Seth gazed around in fascination at all the strange mechanisms. A hum in the background indicated a motor pumping air into the dirigible and keeping the craft ready to fly. He presumed Socar, their alien father, must have somehow contributed to the design and advanced abilities.

A soldier lounging in the commander’s chair jumped up and saluted. Captain Anthony, sir.

At ease. We’re passing through. He gave a stern glare at the nervous soldier.

Another guard rushed over and opened the outside door.

While the brothers stepped down a ramp, Anthony commented under his breath, If they realized I read minds-- 

You too? Father can—.

Except for yours. Your brain must be made of wood.

Seth grinned at his older brother. Father said something similar but used a different phrase.

When I was a child, playing in the blue halls of Ucat, father explained how to select what I wanted to hear and block others. Later, as a youth left on earth, both abilities helped me survive.

They approached a massive door in what appeared to be a rock wall. Anthony reached for the hidden lock, but Seth caught his arm and pulled them forward. They stepped through the wall into a vacant hall. Which way?

The dining area is over there. Tony indicated to the right. What else did you hide from me?

We all have secrets. Later, I will explain.  Seth examined the deserted tunnel. The smell of food drifted toward them, and Seth’s stomach growled. I hope your kitchen is well stocked. Using the silver for healing always leaves me starving.

CHAPTER 2 Alien Reunion

Anthony sat in silence, running long fingers around the outer edge of his wine glass. After their meal, he took Seth back to his quarters.

Legs stretched out; Seth leaned his head against the chair’s back. He tried to relax but memories flooded his brain. The year was 1899. The technical revolution overwhelmed the world, but what they both experienced went beyond anything a brilliant inventor ever imagined.

After Mac bequeathed him the alien artifacts, everything changed. His well-planned life, working for a prestigious law firm and becoming a partner, turned upside down. Elizabeth, who he met in Egypt at the ruins, now played an important role in his future. The recollection of her smile, laugh, and even her stance with a gun pointed at him made his heart pound. He wanted to finish this last part of the quest and marry her. For a moment he visualized their life together in Pittsburgh and his independent law practice.

Impatient at the delay, he stood and paced the room. We need to complete this. At Anthony’s questioning gaze, he continued, Father didn’t tell you why Ibidimin attacked me, or about the twelve Assors, and the quest on Earth?

Nothing. I went along for the chase, trying to catch you. Remember?

The Hydelea needs to be delivered to Ucat. Only then can the planet’s rotation restart. I thought he explained everything to you. The device originally designed as a planet starter or restorer was hidden on Earth. I was chosen to find its location, place the Hydelea on Ucat, and activate the mechanism by listening for the turns.

Listen for the turns---what does the phrase mean?

I can perceive minuscule sounds beyond the range of normal hearing. Grandfather needs your blue stick to turn on the device, and I tell him when to stop at each adjustment. When started correctly, Ucat rotates again and reverts to normal operation. People can live on the surface, not in the tunnels. With the atmosphere habitable, plants will grow again.

What you unearthed in the tomb?

Yes, and why Ibidimin tried to kill me. He opened his coat to show him the small device.

Tomorrow when we meet with Father, he can take us to Ucat. Anthony took a sip of wine from his glass.

Why wait? I have a mental image of where we need to go. Seth grinned at him.

His older brother plopped down the glass. His words of caution, I don’t think so-- came too late.

Seth acted fast. His left eye glowed while he tapped the brand hidden under his pant leg. Grabbing Anthony’s arm and focusing on a vision of their destination, they flew through space. Swirls of light surrounded them. The sensation of passing across thick layers of time lasted only for a couple of minutes until their eyesight cleared. Arriving hard on the floor of a room glowing with blue light, both brothers stumbled for a moment.

A tall bald, blue man stood before them. His luminous dark eyes blazed with an inner light. Holding both hands out, he said, Welcome Anthony and Seth to Ucat. I’m Oncar, your grandfather.

Anthony stepped forward and took his hands. At their connection, a blue tint streaked down his body. He grasped his grandfather with one blue and one flesh-colored hand. I’m glad to be back.

Seth stood to the side, detached, his face emotionless. His past visions from the Historian revealed a lot, but reality tugged at his emotions. The blue man before him was older than he expected, deep scars circled his left eye, and his ears not quite as big or pointed. Oncar freed a hand and reached out for Seth. Unsure what to do, he accepted the offered hand. His grandfather pulled into a tight hug. Warmth spread through him as love flowed from the blue man. He whispered, Grandfather.

A whistle of air announced their father’s arrival in his normal blue form, a younger version of Oncar. His left eye flashed with green sparks of emotion. He glared at his sons. A similar spark flared in Seth’s eye as they faced each other.

I tried to stop him—, Anthony started to defend himself but his father waved him off.

I should have anticipated this. You’re having too much fun. Socar shifted into his Earth form and growled at his youngest son.

You must admit, this a fantastic way to travel.

Hmph. This ability is a tool, not a toy.

His grandfather’s surprising laughter broke into their exchange. So different, but so alike! One day your father will tell you about his exploits. But now, Socar and I need to discuss a few things.

Seth waited in silence as the three men carried on their telepathic conversation. He realized they talked about him. Every so often, his brother sent him dark, suspicious stares. He grinned back and was rewarded with brief flashes of panic in Tony’s eyes.

After a few moments, curious about his surroundings, Seth studied his grandfather’s office. Not surprisingly, the room appeared identical to his visions and dreams. The only light came from glowing blue walls. Carved stone benches formed a circle around his grandfather’s desk. Wait, something changed. A pulsing hum vibrated around him. Fascinated with the sound, he stepped over to touch a wall.

Hey, careful what you stomp on with those big feet! An angry voice yelled at him.

Realizing no one else overheard the comment, he glanced down. Two enormous red beetles scrambled on the top of his shoes.

Grandfather, these bugs can talk?

After the last ground movement, they appeared. I’ve never heard them, though. They sat on my desk and stared at me. So, what did they tell you?

Not to step on them.

Oncar’s luminous eyes took on the strange glow again. A smile spread across his blue face. I suggest you be careful.

Seth again felt the strong emotional pull from the man. Just as he started to respond, the beetles unfurled long rainbow-like wings. An odd, melodic hum vibrated from them. For a couple of moments, the men stood stunned as swirls of flashing color exploded around the room. Landing on his shoulder, the insects folded their wings.

As the room returned to its normal blue glow, Seth pried one loose with his finger and studied the beetle. The insect fluttered its wings again. This time only a faint glow flickered. How do I understand you?

We are linguists and mind readers. Anthony thought in English, so we picked up the language. When you talked, I learned pronunciation. Why can’t we read your mind?

Not sure, but no one else can either. Somehow, I block everyone. Where do you come from?

Everlin. Caught a ride on Adac’s trading ship many years ago.

You’ve been on Ucat a while.

It’s taken this long for our unit to burrow down to your level.

Seth glanced up and realized, to the men in the room, he carried on a one-sided conversation. They studied him with an amused expression. In his ears, the insects yelled. He tried to explain this when without warning, his body started to shake. The brand of the flying man throbbed on his leg. His chest tightened. Unable to breathe, his brain shut down and the room faded to gray. Arms reached out and caught him.

He awoke to a comforting sound, almost mesmerizing. Still dizzy, he reached up to touch his head. One of the beetles, nestled in his hair, sang a soothing melody.

As he moved, Anthony’s voice pulled him to the present. Welcome back.

What happened? His eyes focused on the strange but familiar room.

Not sure, but father delivered us up to Adac’s level. Time and air are a little different on the lower level. He said you were ‘hungry’. A half-hour down there is like two days up here.

Seth’s stomach let out a loud grumble as he sat up.

Take one of these. His brother shoved a small rectangular bar of food toward him.

As the flavor exploded in his mouth, his eyes opened wide with surprise. Anthony unwrapped a second piece and gave him more. The food released a burst of energy through his body. A flow of warmth spread from the silver on his arm down through his leg. His right hand clenched into a fist and glowed red with heat.

This is Adac’s food from Anddus. Anymore?

Where did you learn about that? Anthony asked. His eyes widened in surprise at his brother’s glowing fist. Maybe you should eat something else. I’ll lead you to the galley.

Sitting at a table, Seth finished his third serving of food under the scrutiny of six boys. While he ate, they maintained a whispered discussion in their Ucat language. Unknown to them, the beetle under his shirt translated their conversation for him.

How does he eat so much?

Can he finish the last one?

One eager voice asked, Will he throw up from all the food?

He leaned back and sipped a strange tasting liquid. His sleeve slipped back and revealed the knife strapped to his wrist. So, what do you do for fun?

The children turned to one of the eldest who appeared to understand English. His face turned red with embarrassment as he translated to the others in Ucat language and answered the question. Uh, we play games.

What kind of games? Dangerous?

They’re for our training.

You have one of Papa’s knives. Two identical boys stated in unison.

Seth pulled out the sharp knife Tick gave him for protection while in Cape Town, South Africa, and set the blade on the table. What seemed such a long time ago was less than several months. He studied the chubby boys for a resemblance with the gnome-sized assassin, Tick. Your mother?

We call her Mama. Everyone else calls her ‘General’.

A memory flitted through his mind of a fierce woman dressed in red with a black vest fastened tight across her chest, black hair sticking out in jagged spikes, and wearing high-topped combat boots. Who would have thought, General Kinko and Tick were married?

A short, rotund man entered the room. His black vest stretched so tight the buttons strained to stay attached. Red striped trousers formed grotesque stripes across his extended stomach and legs. Leave me any food?

Tick? Seth glanced up.

He is coming later, Tock answered.

Tick and Tock, both skilled combat assassins with knives, were identical twins as well. The only difference he noted between the brothers was Tick wore blue striped trousers, and he ate less. Tock’s appetite equaled Seth’s.

The children squealed with excitement when the assassin sat at the table. Food was shoved toward him. While he ate, everyone else giggled and fought for his attention. A little hand reached out to touch Seth’s knife on the table. The child stopped at his uncle’s hiss. They’re trained to fight from an early age, but best not leave temptation out for this gang.

Seth slipped his knife back in its holder. One of the beetles crawled out from under his collar and twitched its wings.

You have a bug on your shirt. Will it bite?

Can I squash it?

Seth stroked the smooth surface of the beetle. No, and no. Sometimes Mezzer sings, though.

A soft, mesmerizing melody flowed through the room. The children stopped talking and sat like statues, eyes closed. Even Tock’s eyes glazed over. Seth watched them with amazement.

Why didn’t my song affect you? Probably for the same reason, we can’t read your mind. An irritated voice screeched out.

Tony walked through the door and stopped with surprise. Now, what did you do?

Not me, the bugs started singing.

Well tell them to stop. Grandfather notified me; he’s called a meeting of the men. Tony’s words grew slower as he fell under the influence of the hypnotic sound.

Seth tapped the beetle on its shell. You can stop now. I need him awake. His eye flashed green, and he reached for his brother’s arm.

They landed down below in their grandfather’s blue conference room.

Whew! This trip went a lot quicker than our burrowing down. A beetle crawled out from under Seth’s collar.

Tony shook himself. What just happened? I fell asleep--

I’ll explain later.

He grumbled, Everything is ‘later’ with you.

The members of the council walked into Oncar’s room and stared with round black eyes at Seth. One by one, the thin blue men reached out to touch his arm and then in total silence settled on the stone benches. They all viewed Seth’s adventures as a Traveler. Socar stepped forward in time and experienced the future, and when he returned, at his touch, downloaded his son’s exploits on the glass wall for the blue men to study.

Mezzer (Mesmerizer) and Connie (Confusion), as he discovered the two beetles were named, maintained a running commentary of the meeting in Seth’s ear. Mezzer, the most verbal, had a sharp sense of humor. They asked if you brought the Hydelea and can we start the device now? Some are bored with their current life but afraid of change. The one who keeps scratching himself is worried he’ll have to bathe more often if women show up.

Connie added, Mostly though, when the Hydelea was first turned on down here, walls caved in and rocks fell. Their concern is this will occur again. Oncar assured them ‘not this time. The device will be modified and started according to the ancient instructions with your help.’

First I talk with the Historian, Seth announced out loud.

All the men in the room turned to stare at him. The Hydelea, tucked in his belt, chose that moment to start vibrating.

*****

Oncar guided him back to the upper level where the library should be. If no door emerges, the Historian won’t see you. What do you know of him?

"He gave me visions; many of you