Tommy Noble: Adventure on Andor

By Alex Winter

Never has Tommy Noble been to another world or raced air-speeder boards over the ocean. Never before has Tommy met his mother or befriended a synthetic person. All Tommy knows is his plain boring life with his new stepmother Cathy who makes him clean all the time.
All that is about to change when a mysterious box in the attic goes off. With it comes an invitation to Andor where he can finally meet his mother. Once there he finds his mother,aerial sports and friends with dangers lurking all around him. Can he solve Andors mysteries before it is too late?
For children 9-15 years old.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 26, 2007
• ISBN: 9781462825387

Alex Winter

Alex Winter has been a career in-house writer and video director/producer for advertising firms, publishers and government agencies. Winter's field has always been international politics, and this has involved experience working in Europe and in Asia, though home now is on the California coast, where Winter enjoys the perspective across the ocean and across the continent. Death Is in the Details is Winter's first novel.

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Copyright © 2008 by Alex Winter.

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.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Contents

CHAPTER ONE

BORN ON EARTH

CHAPTER TWO

THE MOVIE

CHAPTER THREE

DISTRESS CALL

CHAPTER FOUR

SUMMER ON ANDOR

CHAPTER FIVE

THE MAKING OF CHAMPIONS

CHAPTER SIX

THE GRAND TOUR

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE GATEWAY

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE FIRST EVENT

CHAPTER NINE

THE MALL

CHAPTER TEN

THE PLANETARY EVENT

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE MOONBASE

CHAPTER TWELVE

MASTERMIND

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE INTERPLANETARY EVENT

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

DISCOVERY

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EARTHBOUND

CHAPTER ONE

BORN ON EARTH

Mr. Ben Noble waved goodbye to a coworker in the parking lot before he started his brand new car. Placing it in drive he smoothly rolled out of the parking lot of his new job. Getting on at Zoom Inc. a top-secret airplane manufacturing plant had been a miracle that he had waited almost a year for. He still lived over fifty miles away since he hadn’t had time to apartment hunt with this being his first week on the job. Seeing the top-secret aircraft factory disappear in his rearview mirror he reached down to turn on the radio. The music blared away keeping him awake especially after his leaving this late at night. The roads were pitch black and even darker was the ones that led over the mountain on his way home

Mr. Noble’s car shifted into a lower gear going up the mountain road when he heard an unusual sound coming from behind him. Looking behind him in the air he saw nothing hearing the noise grow louder. Voosh. The noise kept growing louder even though no other cars were behind him. He worriedly applied his brakes. The car started creeping slowly up the steep mountain road with the noise still growing louder.

The noise started vibrating the car making the steering wheel tingle in his hands. Deciding that something was getting to close on the pitch-black road he started to pull over. Vooshoom!!! The sound came from overhead nearly deafening him. A shiver of fear sliced through him as he felt the car rise into the air and shoot forward, turning end over end. He became vaguely aware that several miles had passed just before the car went crashing into the mountainside. When the car hit everything went black. The car somersaulted four times through the trees stopping only after it had struck a rock cleft in the mountainside. The door had sprung open leaving him dangling unconscious half out the door.

Put him over here. Enocho pointed to a fairly level place on the ground.

A flashlight came on nearly blinding the group of people that stood hidden in the total darkness beneath the trees.

Gently, gently, a curly yellow haired man named Dr. Holan called out. Four men gathered around a body dangling out of a small door and gently lifted it over to the clearing. Will it live? asked a man with long straight red hair as he leaned over the body that lay stretched out in the clearing.

Yes, I think he will Malifax! Dr. Holan said while opening a small emergency medical kit as he started to work. Twenty minutes later Dr. Holan packed up his medical kit and looked down at his patient. He should be awake in a minute or two, Dr. Holan said as he observed him intently and almost anxiously.

Will he be dangerous? Crishana asked, brushing back her barely visible blonde hair as she waited for the doctor’s response.

It doesn’t matter we will need him anyway, Enocho said, pointing his energy rifle at Mr. Noble who was still lying limply on the ground. Nudging the body with his foot Enocho saw him start to come around.

Where am I? Mr. Noble grunted and struggled to sit up and come to at the same time.

You are here with us, Dr. Holan answered and squatted down to help him sit up.

The last thing I remember was flying through the air in my car, Mr. Noble said and shook his head violently to clear away the grogginess. He struggled to stand falling down twice before he succeeded.

You will be just fine, Dr. Holan said, holding on to him as they walked slowly forward.

Did somebody call an ambulance? Mr. Noble asked while looking around and saw trees but no police cars or ambulances anywhere.

No, why? Dr. Holan asked and looked at him puzzled. Because I might need a doctor, Mr. Noble said then staggered around for a minute before strong hands grabbed him from both sides.

I am a doctor so there is no need to worry, Dr. Holan said and ran a small scanning device around Mr. Noble’s head.

What’s the diagnosis? Mr. Noble asked as he swayed severely in the men’s arms that were holding him.

Swollen, bruised with blood pumping to places in your head that will keep you off balance for several days, Dr. Holan answered as he put the small scanner away and stepped back to let Enocho take his place.

Dorf what parts do we need? asked Enocho who watched the synthetic person easily traverse the distance between them.

Our hypervalence weave transjector has overloaded meaning we can’t energize the nanoplasm in the core of atoms, which stops our power flow, Dorf said and brushed back his slick Teflon like hair, that had been displaced by the wind.

A who, what? Mr. Noble’s knees gave out as he asked. He was quickly grabbed and held suspended by two men.

Try explaining it to him in simple terms, Enocho said and stepped back allowing Dorf to be seen by Mr. Noble.

An electron tunnel, Dorf said crossing his muscular looking arms across his chest.

I follow you, Mr. Noble said shaking his head against the grogginess once more.

With a power increasing ability, Dorf added taking a step closer when he saw a flash of recognition.

A transformer, Mr. Noble tried to laugh but was still too off balance.

Good, good. Now inside of that transformer is another special transformer, Dorf said smiling, while looking Mr. Noble straight in the eyes.

A what inside a transformer? Mr. Noble asked, slinging his head all the way back before dropping it forward on his chest.

How many different kinds are there? Dorf asked hopefully, which relaxed the others.

Only one kind I know about, Mr. Noble said then blacked out due to his concussion, thankfully still being held aloft by the two men.

We’re stuck here! Malifax screamed with rage kicking at a tree with his face glowing red in the darkness.

That means he has just become indispensable to us, Dorf said while shrugging his shoulders as he moved to stand beside Dr. Holan.

Yes, Dorf is quite correct but how do we proceed from here? Dr. Holan asked while sitting down on an overturned tree and then scratching his head.

Two teams. Dorf, Malifax, Crishana, Feaz, and Shenshur will stay and keep the ship hidden until we return. Enocho looked over at Electra who gave him the go ahead with a single nod. The rest of us will learn how to blend in, Enocho said and looked down at the ground waiting for objections. Dorf arose placidly leading the others back toward the spaceship.

Well at least they look close enough like us so we can pass as one of them, Dr. Holan said. He stood up to confirm his statement with the flashlight.

Follow, Enocho said and walked toward the highway where glimmers of light could be seen randomly piercing the darkness.

Where are we? Mr. Noble asked coming around once again and realizing that he was being carried through the woods.

We are on our way to living structures. Could you identify yours for us? Dr. Holan asked and stopped in front of Mr. Noble awaiting an answer.

In the valley on east nineteenth apartment ten, Mr. Noble managed to blurt out while fighting to regain his footing.

Very good, Dr. Holan said and turned to follow after Enocho and Electra.

It was ten minutes later when Enocho broke into a wide strip clearing with hard black ground. Lights appeared at a distance as the others emerged from the woods. A humming noise grew as a small pickup truck approached them and gradually came to a stop. A window rolled down with an old man’s face appearing wearing a smile and tipping a cowboy hat as he looked out at them.

Some party, the old man said breaking the silence.

No, no, nope the car went there, Mr. Noble made a gesture with his fingers as he spoke.

See if he can stand, Enocho said sternly.

They released Mr. Noble watching him stagger over to Enocho.

One to many, the old man laughed as he watched Mr. Noble staggering.

We are trying to get him home," Enocho told the old man while holding Mr. Noble up.

Where does he live? The old man asked nodding his head.

In the valley on east nineteenth, Dr. Holan interjected quickly and stepped up to the window.

That would be only a little out of my way, so hop in, the old man reached over and opened the passenger side door.

Enocho motioned for Dr. Holan to go around to the passenger side while he got into the back with the others. Thirty minutes later the pickup pulled up in front of the apartments and they all leapt out of the back. The passenger door opened with Dr. Holan stepping out laughing and waving goodbye. Dr. Holan shut the door and watched as the pickup drove off.

Over there, Mr. Noble said, pointing at his apartment and trying to walk toward it. They once again grabbed him by the arms, leading him over to the lighted doorway.

How does one gain entry? Dr. Holan asked and stood beside the others staring at the door. When Enocho saw Mr. Noble start to blackout again he decided to use his foot. The door easily crashed in revealing a small apartment. Shutting the door behind them, Enocho had to prop it closed with a nearby chair to make it to stay shut.

Early the next morning Mr. Noble awoke to the sounds of conversation going on in the living room. He stood up swaying severely barely managing to maintain his balance. Walking slowly to the bedroom door he started opening it, hearing the voices grow louder he stepped out. It must be the TV he thought shuffling his feet down the small hallway. Good new day to you, Dr. Holan said and jumped up to run a small scanner over him before he could voice any objections.

Who are you people? Mr. Noble asked and looked around the living room, which had two strangely dressed people sitting on the couch.

Do you remember anything about last night? Dr. Holan asked while looking over the scan results and listening with a cocked head.

I remember having a car wreck after being hit by something unidentifiable,

Mr. Noble stared at the others blankly saying no to anything else.

We found you and helped you make it safely home, Dr. Holan said and smiled at the others in the living room. Ring, ring, ring. What is that bothersome noise? Dr. Holan asked while covering his ears and looking extremely bewildered.

Hello, Mr. Noble said after picking up the phone. Hearing his best friend’s voice he quickly invited him to hurry on over. Thank you, I’m fine now leave, Mr. Noble said and pointed at the door in a commanding way.

But you haven’t given us time to explain our position, Dr. Holan said while walking up in front of him.

Out! Mr. Noble demanded. He was unsure of these strangely dressed people. Alright, I guess we shall be going then, Dr. Holan said then picked up his things as the others stood getting ready to leave.

Explain? Electra asked softly stepping out of the kitchen into full view of everyone while smoothing her long straight raven black hair.

How can I explain love at first sight? Mr. Noble said and sat down to talk. He totally ignored his best friend when he finally made it over.

A few years passed and Electra finally agreed to marry Mr. Noble after the shock of her alien heritage wore off. Two years after they wed they had a delightful little boy they named Tommy. Tommy was special in both of their hearts even though he was always getting into everything and like a raccoon was curious about everything. Mr. Noble was curious about space travel and his wife’s people. He easily agreed to help search for a suitable replacement part to fix their spaceship. Years had passed without any luck when the search was finally ended. They settled for the simple pleasures that existed on Earth giving up the hope of ever returning to their beloved Andor. Then one day many years later the mysterious search ended in a way no one expected. Mr. Noble was hard at work leading twenty people on a line that produced experimental aircraft parts. It was twenty minutes into the day when a man on the line named Sam called out.

Boss! Sam shouted while pulling at something that had jammed in the line’s machinery.

What is it? Mr. Noble asked and ran over beside him to see the compacted mass of an experimental guidance system. Moving the worker aside it took a few minutes of struggling before it came free sending pieces flying across the floor. Sweeping up the remains and collecting scattered pieces he motioned for the line to start back up. Carrying the remains of the guidance system into his office where it could be tagged for special disposal he noticed something familiar about it. Referencing his parts book he looked it up. It was tagged under a secret security code that took him only minutes to find. The main part of the device used a transductor, which was a transformer with a wire coil inside of it. He knew at once that in his hands was the device that his wife had searched for over the years. He reached over his desk grabbing the telephone receiver up quickly to dial his home number. After a few rings the phone was answered with a brief Hello.

I have something that Dorf needs to look at, Mr. Noble said and realized this would surprise her since Dorf had been shut down years ago to conserve energy.

Hoping, Electra said and held her breath after saying the word.

It may be just the thing we’ve been looking for, Mr. Noble said and turned it in his hand viewing the transjector from all angles.

Out, Electra always said before hanging up the phone.

After hanging up the phone he slipped the transjector into his jacket pocket, which was hanging on a wall peg near the door. He disposed of the remains of the guidance system and returned to work strangely excited. Hours had passed by slowly with Mr. Noble being more than anxious to leave work even before his shift had ended. When the time came he quickly grabbed his jacket rushing for the door passing several of his coworkers on the way out. Going through the security checkpoints with a smile it was only moments before he was driving away from the factory with the part wrapped in his jacket laying on the seat beside him.

Pulling up into his driveway Mr. Noble had managed to make it home in record time. Jumping out of his car he nearly closed the door on his jacket while he hurried. As he started for the front door Electra appeared opening it wide for him. She was holding it for him to enter not wanting to go out. Giving her a quick kiss as he entered he turned to see Malifax sitting beside a lifeless Dorf.

What is the development? Malifax asked and stood up when Mr. Noble entered.

This. Mr. Noble said, reaching into his jacket pocket retrieving the transjector and tossing it to him. Malifax looked the shiny object over. Upon seeing the hole in the center he placed it down on the coffee table very gently before activating Dorf.

This is Dorf, he said several seconds after he was turned back on.

Hello thing, Malifax sneered at him and then pointed at the transjector before sitting down next to him. Dorf picked it up only to examine it carefully for several minutes.

Well? Malifax shouted and stared angrily into Dorf’s eyes.

It appears to be a smaller version of our own, Dorf answered and continued to look it over with no hint of being upset in any way.

Will it work? Malifax shouted with his face turning a bright shade of red clearly showing his anger.

Yes it will work. Though our journey will be considerably longer than usual, Dorf said and placed the transjector back down on the coffee table.

How much longer? Malifax shouted angrily jumping up from the couch. He kicked over the nearest end table before screaming.

Electra slipped back into the kitchen picking up the cordless phone. She pressed a speed dial button. Enocho, she whispered into the phone before hanging it up.

Three times as long provided we can find a nanoplasm charge replacement tube, Dorf said while smiling at everyone. This pushed the raging Malifax beyond his limits. Jumping Malifax grabbed Dorf around the neck trying to choke the life out of him. Mr. Noble grabbed Malifax trying to pull him off without any luck until another pair of strong hands reached in grabbing a hold on an arm. After several seconds they had freed Dorf while hauling a kicking and screaming Malifax toward the door. They managed to wrestle him out the door giving him a hard push into the yard. Malifax turned around snarling before charging straight back at them. Zzrapp. Quick like a striking cobra a bright flash of light struck Malifax sending him flying backward several feet before he fell unconscious to the ground.

Mr. Noble turned seeing his wife duck back into the doorway hiding the weapon she had used. They quickly picked him up to toss him into the back of Enocho’s car before going back inside the house.

Does Dr. Holan need to be called? Dorf asked while grimacing in a way that showed a true concern for Malifax.

He will be fine for now, Enocho said and crossed his arms while standing protectively by Electra’s side. Mr. Noble had learned a long time ago that Enocho was her loyal bodyguard, that he proved to be and much more.

The centerpiece? Mr. Noble curiously asked Dorf when he picked up little Tommy before he could grab the transjector.

We need to insert a tube filled with Nesterhypol gas and then we will be ready to go, Dorf said and clasped his hands together with a huge smile on his face.

What is the Earth given name for this gas? Enocho asked and turned his head toward Dorf with a look of hope in his eyes.

I don’t have any clue whatsoever, Dorf said beaming and rocking back and forth on the couch trying to adjust his balance.

Let’s go to the library to see if he can find which gas it is there, Mr. Noble said. He handed Tommy who had just started walking over to Electra.

Meet you there, Enocho said and slid out the front door heading to his car. Come on, Mr. Noble said. He motioned at everyone before stepping out the door.

Are you sure that you want me to go? Dorf asked. He stood beside the doorway not daring to take a step farther without approval.

Yes Dorf, this could take awhile and you would be an extra hand, Mr. Noble called out while watching the others exit the house. After all this would be a casual trip to the library.

Electra found Tommy some books to read through that told of many great adventures while they searched the rows of books for gases. It was hours later and they had every book they could find on gases lying on the table before them.

I think that’s all of them. Mr. Noble rubbed his eyes before sitting back in his chair. Enocho who had come in only minutes behind them was also wearied from looking. Tommy stood up in the chair where he could see the books on the table. After managing to stand up he opened a book before pointing down at a picture. Electra tiredly glanced over smiling at Tommy before she realized what he was pointing at. She picked the book up and read Argon with all its properties as a noble gas. To the people of Earth it was a totally useless gas, which wasn’t used for anything she could recall.

Look, Electra said and handed the book over to Dorf who immediately began reading through the pages.

Though it is highly mislabeled it is the closest one that I have seen, said Dorf who looked up when he spoke then buried his nose back into the book.

What do you know of the gas called Argon? Enocho asked while he was reading over Dorf’s shoulder. He quickly glanced up at Mr. Noble not wanting to miss a thing about the gas.

Nothing really I’m not even sure where we could buy any, Mr. Noble said and stood up before stacking the books in neat piles on the table preparing them to leave.

Out in the library’s parking lot Enocho half carried the almost totally power drained Dorf to the car. Placing him in the back seat of Mr. Noble’s car he quickly turned toward them shutting the car door. Is it safe to acquire this gas or is it governmentally restricted? Enocho asked while leaning on the car with his face devoid of any emotions as he looked at him.

No it’s nothing like that. The challenge will be finding anyone who produces it since it is generally worthless in our society, Mr. Noble said and opened the door for Electra and Tommy before getting in himself. How much time do you need? Enocho asked. He had stopped leaning on the car and now stood by the driver’s window.

A few days worth of phone calls should give us the answer. Mr. Noble said while starting the car and preparing to drive off. Then Enocho stepped back to wave a tired goodbye.

Several weeks later the thousands of phone calls Mr. Noble had made finally paid off with a special package delivery to his front door. He had ordered sixteen slender tube containers from an unheard of company. He hoped that the small fortune they had spent on the gas was worth it as he went into the spare bedroom to retrieve a deactivated Dorf. They reactivated a punch drunk Dorf who was acting very strange due to his loss of power.

This is not D-D-Dorf yet, he said when he was activated and started jerking his arms in an uncontrolled way.

Mr. Noble put him on the couch where he started jerking and shaking when Mr. Noble pulled a tube of compressed Argon out of the box. Mr. Noble slid a tube of compressed Argon into the transjector, which formed a white glow around it immediately.

P-Power c-cord, Dorf managed to say opening up a place on his arm. Mr. Noble pulled the cord out of a nearby lamp and connected it to the transjector. The white glow brightened and a white beam of energy shot across the coffee table. Dorf leaned over and placed his open wrist in the beams way. Ahhh, just give me an hour to recharge.

Dorf’s features seemed to have an expression of relief emanating from them when he spoke.

Mr. Noble turned seeing Electra jumping for joy. She threw her arms around him for a joyous hug. That night everyone from the spaceship came over including Malifax who brought Electra some exotic tea for a peace offering as apology for his rages.

The next day came which was the beginning of the weekend. Dorf was fully charged and ready to go fit the spaceship with the makeshift transjector. Enocho and the others had spent the night at Mr. Noble’s anxious to help. They eagerly wanted to see if the ship would work. It was early that morning when Mr. Noble loaded everyone up who was going to the spaceship. He started out the driveway with a carload of Andorian’s that all held their hopes high of being able to return home.

Working long into the night they finally got the engines to run with a little over half the power they would normally run on. Dorf informed everyone that it would be a four or five day journey with the engines running at full power. He was still tinkering around on the engines when everybody left to pack. It was three in the morning when everyone gathered at Mr. Noble’s house for a last minute meeting.

There isn’t room for us all especially since provisions will have to be packed for the trip, Enocho said waiting to see everyone’s reactions.

I am not staying on this accursed planet one second longer than I have to,

Malifax said with his face turning a little red and his eyes daring anyone to defy him.

I will stay. Dr. Holan said with everyone knowing that he wouldn’t leave his Earthly