The Right Time

By Isaac Hill Sr.

It is a fact that anywhere a person goes, they must take their entire self with them. Will the exploration of outer space remain an absolutely necessary endeavor? It will. Will the discovery of something valuable in outer space start a mad dash into it by prospectors? It will. Will the discovery of an advanced alien race influence humans philosophies and religious beliefs? It will. Join us into the lives of future human beings who must constantly examine and apply themselves against who they are and who they will become if they mingle with aliens who have a God of their own and live in a single-race, moneyless society, where duty and love are more than just words. Take the entire journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514424339

Isaac Hill Sr.

Isaac Hill Sr. is a new American author who believes that we live in a rated-R society filled with extraordinary people who continue to transcend the woes of social dysfunction called progress, ever trying to make the world a better place to live in. He believes that the exploration and conquest of outer space is an absolutely necessary endeavor for the satisfaction of human curiosity and glory. As a man in his sixties, Isaac Hill Sr. has seen what was considered “science fiction become reality,” which leads him to believe that there is a right time for everything.

Book preview

In Loving Memory of My Mother and Father

who Encouraged Me to be Excellent

I give special thanks to Isaac - my diligent

son - for being my # ! cheerleader.

I thank my grand-daughter Shayla for her editing advice.

I thank my daughter-in-law Shirley Pem

Hill, for her constructive critique.

I am grateful for the prayers of my daughter Monique and all of my grand-children; Jequel, Monica, Shontrice, Joshua, Jayquinn, and little Caleb.I thank my sisters Celeste and Jeanette for their enthusiasm.I give thanks to those who have supported my effort; Tasaya Northover, James A. Morin, Karen Multari, Robin Pisciotti, and Joseph C. Patrizi for their positive written reviews and input.God bless all of the silent ones who are rooting in their hearts. I love you all and I thank you again and again.

I thank Xlibris publishing for their friendly staff and services.

Copyright © 2015 by Isaac Hill Sr.

ISBN:         Softcover        978-1-5144-2434-6

                  eBook                  978-1-5144-2433-9

            Hardcover            978-1-5245-3041-9

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such

images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/29/2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1    2185 AD

Chapter 2    Precious Metal

Chapter 3    A Spy’s Love

Chapter 4    A Knight To Remember

Chapter 5    An Unusual Request

Chapter 6    Passionate Responses

Chapter 7    Sir DeJesus’s Dilemma

Chapter 8    Unsettling Surprises

Chapter 9    A Mysterious Explosion

Chapter 10    It’s Murder

Chapter 11    Thebe’s New Language

Chapter 12    Suspicious Evidence

Chapter 13    Naughty Conclusions

Chapter 14    A Deadly Acquaintance

Chapter 15    A Dead Man’s Visit

Chapter 16    Unbelievably Good And Bad

Chapter 17    A Harsh Decision

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Chapter 1

2185 AD

Paul Revere, not the one of the past, but the one of the future, is an astronaut and service technician for communications controls devices, for the worlds of Earth, Mars, Venus, and the Moon. He enjoys his work as much as he enjoys living in outer space, but his work is much too demanding for anyone who, like himself, intends on retiring in Outer Space. So in his spare time he studies space medicine with the hope that he will earn recognition as a pharmacist. But as often happens with many people, circumstances that are beyond their control occur, and throw them off course into their destiny. And such has happened to Paul Revere. A most beautiful and exciting alien woman has captured his heart and mind to the point where everything else in his life is secondary. But he has also come under the influence of JML Brown, the director of the World’s Space Council who are subject to the curiosity and demands of the worlds they serve.

Tiana Basi is the Commander of Explorer One. She and her crew have arrived in our Solar System, and into our Readily Accessible Space via a gravitronic current from their home world we shall call Nutopia. Tiana’s mission is to seek out and recover gravity metal ore which is vital to the survival of her race. Gravity metal ore usually flourishes along the path of gravitronic current, and this current has delivered the Nutopians to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This is where they were searching when Paul Revere espied them. But that was three months ago. At present Paul is preparing himself to attend a meeting with the WSC to inform them of the progress he is making as the sole human envoy to the Nutopians, whose presence the council has kept secret from the worlds. Under JML Brown’s leadership, the council believes that the right time to inform the worlds is when safety measures have been installed in the Tri-planet area to control or stave off a mad dash into outer space, that can become hazardous to life and property. And this is not to mention the possibility of mass hysteria.

The Most High Council of Elders of Nutopia has ordered Tiana Basi not to let her involvement with the humans interfere with her mission. Her father, Jamu Basi, the Most High Elder, has ordered her not to receive any human other than Paul Revere aboard Explorer One until their mission is accomplished. Neither Paul nor Tiana denies the power of their councils, but neither can they deny the mysterious irresistible attraction between them. And Paul is now more interested in capturing the heart of the woman who has captured his, than performing diplomatic duties for the World’s Space Council.

I watched the light in her eyes fade John. And then she looked at me as if she were wondering if she could trust me. I felt so bad, Paul Revere sighed. I am emotionally attracted to her. I want to impress her and make her see me as a match for her.

I hear you Paul, but I don’t understand what your fear is, said John Toole.

Until yesterday she seemed very confident, she was relaxed and charming. I think both council’s demands are getting the best of her, especially the WSC. They must stop demanding audience with her. I am on her side, do you think that is rebellion against human interests?

Let me remind you of your original statements to the council. You said that it would be unwise to hinder their mission. You said that we may not be able to handle ourselves properly among them because they are very powerful and very beautiful. You said they delight in a lifestyle that we shun. You said that humans may appear weak and absurd to their society. You said all of this without being overly specific. There is no doubt that you find them to be superior beings. And now you desire a greater intimacy with Tiana. And so it will be JML Brown’s duty to get more than one human’s opinion, and as for you, what do you expect if you place her on such a pedestal, her admiration or her pity? Be bold, tell her the truth at all times. You love her, tell her that. Tell her that her beauty and character has captured your heart and mind.

If negotiations break down as a result, I think I will be accused of making rude stupid advances and forbidden to continue as envoy. How will I be able to see her then?

Negotiations! Rude stupid advances? No! Do you want her to trust you? Trust me, I will stake my reputation on this advice. Since the council only knows Tiana Basi through you, the closer you get to her, the better it will be for everyone concerned. You will not forgive yourself if you do not tell her how you feel about her. Do it now while you still have the councils respect. Tell them your intentions, and give them good reason to pardon you.

Paul’s heart agreed with John’s advice. I will ask the councils permission John. I hope that this will not be the beginning of the end for Tiana and me.

John gave Paul a hug, and a hearty pat on the back, and congratulated him for his decision. Everything is going to be just fine Paul, said John, but In his heart he felt that not much could come of an alien/human love affair, and he has dealt with counselling many infatuations that people must get over.

I’ll stay in touch John, have a swell day, said Paul, but he knows that John hasn’t the slightest clue as to what he feels for Tiana Basi.

It was a regular workday on a space platform in Sector B when Paul had seen the anomaly that has detoured him to his new dream. On an ordinary day he would aim the communications equipment, and stare into the asteroid belt that appeared as a sparkling sash which blotted out the space behind it. But on this particular day he noticed a strange black spot. He peered at it through long range binoculars and noticed an amber light, and sparks like volcanic ash bouncing off of the surface of the black spot. And also just as amazing, he noticed how meteor after meteor would stop and spin itself before the black spot, as if posing its surfaces to it. Paul wanted some laser imaging of this anomaly, and so he aimed the communications platforms photographic laser imaging lens at the anomaly, and bursted laser rays upon it. Suddenly he noticed that the black spot began to enlarge, and before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the black spot blotted out all the glitter of the asteroid belt as it neared him at a tremendous speed; oh how the council longs to learn the technology behind that speed, thought Paul. But today he yearns to speak of love as he changed his garments for his meeting with the council.

He recalled that when the anomaly had blotted out all of space behind it and hovered before him, he panicked, and in an effort to contact his base command he lost grip of his Communications Set. It went free floating into outer space, and in lieu of his circumstances, he dared not untether himself from his safety line to retrieve it. A huge amber light began to glow and it bathed the entire area in its flood before a beam of blinding white light streamed out of the black spot. Two space suits of human proportions emerged from the blinding light. Paul was sure that he had discovered some secret project, and his goose was cooked. He knew every space suit design in the Tri-planet area and none were fully chrome as these were with blinding chrome visors. But the figures approached him and beckoned him to come to them with gestures. When they took it upon themselves to untether him, he could feel a strange debilitating sensation and fell limp into their arms. In no time at all they flew into the blinding light and entered a dimensionless chamber of kaleidoscopic light. His visor had barely enough tint for him to withstand the brightness inside the chamber, and when his escorts removed their helmets and visors, his heart raced at the sight of their alien faces, which were not grotesque, just alien. Oh my God! was all that came out of his mouth. They gestured for Paul to remove his helmet and visor. And since there was no toxic environmental detection by his suit filter, he complied. And to his delight, the air he breathed was the freshest air he had breathed in quite some time. But an indescribable heaviness overcame him as his escorts drew near to touch him. Sensing that they were the cause of his dilemma, they backed away and allowed Paul to compose himself. And then Tiana Basi appeared before him and touched him with a warmth that recovered his senses without laying a hand on him. And melodic sounds proceeded from all of their mouths.

My name is Paul Revere, I am from Earth. Who are you? Paul remembered asking them, but they only nodded and stared with inquisitive looks for responses.

He looked into the mirror once more to see if his appearance befitted a meeting with the council. John’s advice echoed in his mind. Tell them your intentions, be bold, you have their respect.

It just boils down to being honest he thought, which may be the best policy in this case. This will be his third meeting with the full council present, and other than his intended declaration of love to Tiana Basi, he has very little to report to the council that is new, or what they are waiting to hear. Tiana Basi continues to maintain that the Most High Council of Elders will not allow her to have audience with any human other than himself until gravity metal ore is discovered. She assured him that once the ore is discovered, things will change shortly thereafter. And she has been an excellent diplomat with a sharp unoffending wit and haunting charm. Her honesty is absolutely irresistible and pure.

But honesty is best known by the pure minded, and Paul is seemingly mesmerized. As far as the WSC is concerned, Tiana Basi may be a beguiling snake and a chameleon. To them this beauty that Paul lauds her for, can be a façade that hides a witch of mystery and magic, who is waiting to reveal her evil power at an opportune moment. And such opinions, prejudices, and notions do gain territory in malicious gossip, which is the fruit of extended delay. So be it, Paul thought. The council will have to be patient a little longer. He entered the chamber Oval Office before the council members arrived, and set his agenda notes on top of the oval conference table in front of the seat he will sit in, which is designed more for alertness than comfort.

The council members began to enter the chamber a couple at a time, each spoke a polite greeting and remained standing behind their seats with their agenda notes on the oval table top. They are an awesome bunch of people. Their most admirable qualities are their loyalty to one another, and their dependability toward others. They are the Knights and Dames of the WSC and the worlds are fortunate to have such space people as these are looking out for their interests in space. Sir JML Brown will be seated at the center of the right side of the oval table as you enter the main entrance. The remaining six members will be seated three on each side of him, and Paul will sit opposite him at the far end. A person only, and always known as the InnKeeper, will call the meeting into session, and read the final minutes of the last meeting, once all of the WSC is present. And they all arrived on time and stood behind their seats.

Oyez, oyez, oyez, this meeting is now in session, the Honorable JML Brown presiding, please come to order, cried the InnKeeper, and he allowed the WSC to be seated and come to order before he read the minutes. The final minutes of the previous meeting are as follows; it is now noted that the WSC has decided that it will soon be compelled to go public with the fact that we are in contact with an intelligent alien species that has entered our solar system. The Worlds Space Alliance must also be made aware of the situation of our ongoing discourse with them through a sole envoy in the person of Paul Revere. It is the councils hope that he will be successful in convincing their leader, Tiana Basi, to receive a larger human audience. At present, there is no indication that the aliens have hostile intentions, and their reason for being here, according to Tiana Basi, is to extract a substance called gravity metal ore, which they believe flourishes in the asteroid belt. Sir JML Brown adjourned the meeting at 11:33 hrs. He announced and entered the chamber technical booth to secure and record the meeting.

JML Brown spoke to everyone about a curious incident first. "My dear human beings, before we hear what Paul has to tell us, I must address a security matter that is the first of its kind. And it suggests that there is some very new technology being used to undermine our efforts. In secrecy we have developed a way to contact Explorer One via a sort of electronic mail. It uses magnetic wave technology instead of broadband radio technology. It has been put into use as a precaution that Tiana Basi and I agreed upon in the event that Paul Revere’s efforts are curtailed by unforeseen circumstances. No trade has been conducted via this component, but someone has gained access to this line of communication by some undetectable means, and sent Tiana a most confusing message. It reads as follows:

Attention Liaison Tiana Basi

People never really stop pretending or depending on make believe. This is a particularity of the human mind. This particularity of their minds is a receptacle for self-entertainment and self-deception as well. This is because pretending and make believe do have a measure of productive value in instances where honesty and frankness may prove fruitless. Only a keen and tactful mind can discern the moment to use the disguises of pretenses and make believe with proper discretion. This is the art of diplomacy. And it is absolutely necessary to maintain peace between any numbers of entities that are vying for what they believe is their fair share of anything. Good diplomacy does not seek to bury the truth, it just makes the truth more palatable.

Yours truly, a friend to be.

This is some very interesting advice on diplomacy dear hearts. It confused Tiana Basi. She wrote me to inform me that the very existence of her race depends on truth, make believe and fairy tales are not included in their upbringing. There are no bedtime stories to drive away the boogeymen, or counting of sheep for the insomniac who is called to prayer by Godlife. Dreams are the occurrences of an over active imagination during sleep, that the conscious mind has limited control over, thus sound explanations satisfy a Nutopian’s conscience, and gives them peaceful rest. I don’t know if any real damage has been done, but these words she has written suggest to me that she will be taking it into mental account, that some things she is told by a human is a fairy tale, and not to be taken seriously. Let us all consider how that mental attitude toward an entire race of people has been the prelude to war. However if there are no objections, I would like to declare this subject moot for the remainder of this meeting, said Marc Brown. Everyone stirred in their seats and glanced at one another, but no one objected, preferring rather to get on with the meeting. Marc Brown continued, Mr. Revere have you anything new to tell us?

Paul nervously began to explain things the way he perceived them. Sir Brown, members of the council, as of now Tiana’s mission specialists have informed her that they believe that they will soon discover gravity metal ore. And so she has begun to manufacture translation devices for communications purposes between the races, but other types of technology will not be forthcoming at this time. Paul took a deep breath and waited for any sort of response from the council. Dame Ella Judith spoke out in hopes of getting a different answer on a stubborn issue.

Have you explained to Tiana Basi how difficult and expensive it is becoming for us to keep their presence here a secret from the rest of humanity while we take measures to secure the Tri-planet area in the event of mass hysteria?

The concepts of hysteria and expense are incomprehensible to her. Perhaps I will be able to better explain them to her when our language barrier has been totally torn down, but you have to admit, she is doing very well in that area, considering the fact that we will never be able to pronounce one Nutopian word proficiently. I cannot describe it better than that. Paul took another deep breath but he did not wait for a response from the council this time; instead he continued to speak in a more confident tone of voice. Dear members of this fine council, I think that negotiations will have to be carried to another level if we are to expect any progress. We all agree that there is much that we need to know about them and their intentions, but we also agree that they do not seem to be hostile. They do not carry any weapons that I have seen, nor does the subject of war ever arise. But Tiana Basi is becoming less and less of the person that I first met. I believe that I must become more intimate with her. Our present course of reasoning and making unattainable requests will put the wrong ideas in her head, if they have not already. We must change our tactics to get at the truth of our situation. And to be honest with you, I am finding it to be more and more difficult to concentrate on business as usual when I am with her. I feel that I must protect her feelings in a personal way. And I also fear that communications between us can break off permanently, and I shall never see her again as a private citizen. I need to know if she dreads the same moment. I believe she does. I am asking this council’s permission to allow me to treat her like a woman, and as an equal.

The silence in the chamber and the awestruck faces of the council members unsettled Paul. All of their stares shifted between himself and Marc Brown. Paul did not focus on Marc Brown’s attempt to stare into his eyes. He let his gaze shift from his notes and the stares of all the council members including Marc Brown.

Will you please wait in the chamber lounge while we discuss this matter Mr. Revere? Marc Brown asked calmly.

Yes sir, said Paul before he arose quickly and exited the chamber. He was more than happy to comply. The tension in the chamber was rising as far as he could determine, and he thought the lounge is a much better place to be while they make their decision. He partook of the amenities which included bagels and hot coffee. And then he melted into a soft sturdy chair and listened to soft music. Again his mind reverted back to first contact and a desire to visit Nutopia welled up in him. If Tiana were his darling, this would not be a problem he thought.

Tiana has described Nutopia. It is an incredible mortal made planetoid that navigates their dynamic solar system which is called the Cluster. The Nutopian Planetoid is guided along a diverse array of magnetic gravitronic currents that deliver it within range of the many planets that they obtain supplies from, and live on their surfaces only for as long as that takes to accomplish. They are a race of a buried origin, no mining on any planet has ever yielded a clue as to their beginning. Life has always been as it is, and to die living life is one’s duty. Every soul belongs to infinity, and all dead mortal flesh is cast into the nearest sun as a form of worship, and the afterlife is the joy of the dead that need not be known in life.

There is much concern about Paul’s frame of mind among the council members. Dame Sarah Ming suggested that Paul seemed nervous and tired, she has the notion that Paul is uncertain of his motives. I don’t think that Paul will be an effective diplomat for the world’s concerns anymore. I think he will become more engrossed into a personal relationship with her than to care about our agenda. I just hope that his actions are voluntary and he is not being manipulated by a power beyond his control. Perhaps we should examine him more closely and have him professionally evaluated before we send him back.

You have a good point Sarah, said Marc Brown, but that would be a time consuming process, and we are short on time. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and conclude that he is being manipulated by the power of love. I know that it may seem unnatural and most peculiar for such a thing to be happening, but I am willing to take the chance that it is circumstantial and not induced. But I am also forced to conclude that he will no longer be a useful diplomat.

Then to prove himself loyal he must become a spy, Sir Harry Whitter interjected. He must not be allowed to waste our time with his alien love affair.

Whoa now my friend, he is also an American citizen with the right to choose his occupation. We cannot make him become a spy if he doesn’t want to. And in this case I don’t think he will want to. He needs strength and encouragement now. I think his humanity will automatically shine through such treatment, advised Ella Judith.

We will still need his loyalty and his trust, Sir Danislov insisted.

Knight him, Dame Edith McCarthy said softly. Let him experience being all for one, and one for all. Let him answer with this council instead of to this council.

The sounds of snorts and sighs and table top tapping filled the chamber. Sirs Whitter and Danislov rose from their chairs and paced about the chamber. Marc Brown reared back in his seat and placed his hands behind his head. The others sat with their arms folded on the oval table top or upon their chests.

There will not be a recess people, we will decide this here and now, declared Marc Brown. Everyone came to order in their seats. Let’s vote on it, all in favor of Knighting Paul Revere say aye! cried Marc Brown. He received what sounded like a unanimous response. All opposed say nay. No nays were heard. The ayes have it, we will Knight Paul Revere. Let us pray that he does not reject Knighthood, said Marc Brown before signaling the InnKeeper to readmit Paul Revere.

Paul walked as swiftly to his seat as he had when he left the chamber. All of the council members have stern smirks on their faces with wide eyed glances and tightly drawn lips. And then all eyes focused on him when Marc Brown started to speak.

Mr. Revere, I am pleased to tell you that this council appreciates all of the patience and humility that you have extended to us as the specially accepted envoy to the Nutopians. We appreciate every physical and mental sacrifice that you have made on our behalf. But now we are at an impasse that must be removed if you are to remain an envoy that we can rely on. You see, we believe that you have already grown too fond of Tiana Basi to handle your duties dispassionately. But you are still our most reliable link to the Nutopians. We have to get off of this see saw ride that we are on. You want to take your relationship with Tiana Basi to a more intimate level, and you want our permission to be a failsafe for you. We do not have a policy in force on such issues as we must address immediately, but we have a mandate in effect that can be a mutual blessing for us. It will require that you enter into a more intimate relationship with this council so that you may answer with it, instead of to it. You must accept Knighthood if you want our trust and loyalty Paul, just as much as we expect to have yours. Do you understand?

Paul became all at once flabbergasted. One just doesn’t accept Knighthood on the spur of the moment. He is certain that there are studies, tests, and rites that one must attend to become a Knight. One needs references and clout and money; this is preposterous he thought. Knights sit among the gods. Excuse me Sir Brown, but am I right in assuming that if I don’t accept Knighthood, this council will no longer respect my position as special envoy to the Nutopians as you describe it? Paul asked sharply.

No. It means that we will remain at an impasse that must be remedied in some other way as soon as possible. We are concerned about your welfare Paul. You may force that to change. This is a fair warning, I use the expression, Friendly Fire in cases like these. Don’t get caught in the Friendly Fire, Marc Brown retorted.

Paul felt as if resistance would be futile. He wondered why his life was moving in this direction at lightning speed. Every road in front of him leads to unknown fields of promise without certainty. His thoughts will not catch up with his throbbing heart. He is overwhelmed by the presentation of heights he must not fear to reach. He feels faint, but he dare not swoon. I accept Knighthood Sir Brown, I hope I will not fail the council, declared Paul.

The Oval Chamber exploded into cheers, foot stomping and table slapping. Paul did not believe that such dignified folk could turn into such a boisterous crowd. Paul became a jolly good fella in an instant to his delight. They stood and gave him a hearty applause. Paul remained seated and went into a daze. The applause subsided and Sir Brown made a statement.

Thus far this council has succeeded in preventing any mass hysteria or other danger from occurring in the Tri-planet area with diligence in our fortitude to keep a vital secret. Let it be known among us now that Sector B, and the area the Nutopians occupy now, are quarantined zones until further notice. Sir Whitter has plotted the courses, and have the mapping of these areas and their projections put into digital coordinates. Once established, the alien occupied zone will be designated as Space Zero. It is the will of this council that the peoples of the worlds benefit from our association with the Nutopians. All of humanities expenditures and efforts to make outer space enterprises a profitable venture has now reached a new dimension of possibilities. A new hope will emerge, one that will challenge the dogmas of the godly and the ungodly. This council hopes that an age of peace and prosperity will arise and that human kind will venture further into the unknown reaches of outer space to discover the universe. This is the will of this WSC Paul Revere, and we trust you. We have heard the Nutopian song through you, and now we Knight you and accept you as a field operative with full councilman status. God have mercy on your soul.

Each member of the council walked up to Paul and placed their left hand on his right shoulder and grasped his right hand in their right hands and repeated three secrets into his right ear before congratulating him. Paul nodded at each of their acceptance rites as he wondered where and when he got the notion that he would have to submit to some long drawn out grueling process to become a Knight other than life itself. He promised the WSC that he will not fail them and neither would he fail the worlds. Marc Brown made a final statement before adjourning the meeting and the WSC filed out behind him. Sir Paul Revere remained behind with his hands folded before him on top of the Oval Conference Table and imagined Tiana as a Princess in his mind. And such shall she be to him from this day forth he thought. He thought of the joy filled moments of holding her hands in his and looking into her dazzling eyes during translation sessions. She is so smart and beautiful, she grasped and mastered every word and concept and pronounced them in the human tongue with ease. And she did not ridicule him for not being able to pronounce one Nutopian word. And then it happened suddenly. He fell in love with her. He froze for a moment in time in suspended animation as his heart raced and shockwaves of passion and even sensual desire overcame him. He remembered being somewhat embarrassed so he resumed his composure and became a professional again. But this made him feel like some sort of a wimp instead of a man. The price he was paying to ride this emotional rollercoaster was too high. Being a man with the beautiful woman you love in your arms that loves you, is far better than being a diplomat for one of the most powerful councils in the worlds. But now that he is a Knight, he can make wonderful things happen or make a fool out of himself.

Chapter 2

Precious Metal

Gravity metal ore is a pitch black substance that humans would not recognize if they found it in their backyards. There are no human devices that can detect its unique properties. After being processed by Nutopian smelters, its ingots are rolled into sheets of varying thickness that are used for the outer covering of all Nutopian structures and crafts including their planetoid. Gravity metal emits neutral polarity waves that protect against positive and negative particle bombardment such as space dust contains. When energized, it will repel particles of greater mass which is very important for flash speed travel which exceeds the speed that light travels. A soft material called flex joint compound is bonded to gravity metal where it forms joints for added shock absorption and noise reduction. Gravity metal has a negative weight number in space and a very low number under atmospheric pressure and gravity. On Earth it would be lighter than magnesium but as tough as titanium. Nutopian scientists are confident that they will locate a large quantity of gravity metal ore. The gravitronic current that has delivered them to the asteroid belt continues to intensify, which is a positive sign that a lode will be discovered.

All of the Nutopians aboard Explorer One have gotten a glimpse of Paul Revere, but most of them desire to speak to him and ask him about the section of space they are in, and what it is like to live on the surface of planet Earth and those sorts of things. But they remain at their duty stations in search of gravity metal ore. Tiana Basi hopes that Paul Revere will return soon. She is enthralled by his human song. She has engaged her technicians in the development and assembly of translation pads so that they can hear his song also. They are the ordinary praises that any impressed teacher would say to an advanced student, but to Tiana they are as those of a love song that no Nutopian male would speak to her from his heart.

YOU ARE SO AMAZING. YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. YOU LEARN SO QUICKLY. YOU ARE VERY WARM AND ATTENTIVE. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT, EVERY TEACHER WOULD WANT TO HAVE A STUDENT LIKE YOU. YOU GET AN E FOR EXCELLENT.

These are the words that Paul speaks which resound in her mind. She longs for his return. And the arrival of the strange message has given her an idea. She thought that since she and Paul must remain slaves to necessity, they might as well enjoy themselves in the process. She will give him a grand reception when he returns in spite of all that is happening. She doesn’t know that Paul will return and tell her how much he loves her, just as he did not know he will return to her as a Knight in shining armor.

Chapter 3

A Spy’s Love

Sir Paul Revere is ready to return to the Explorer One to reveal his heart to Tiana Basi hoping that she will not think that his confession of love for her is just a ruse to achieve the desires of JML Brown and the WSC. And he suspects that if Tiana spurns his advances, the WSC will have no option other than to claim noncompliance with his intentions; in which case they will be exonerated of any wrongdoing, and he will be heartbroken and unemployed. But his heart tells him that Tiana Basi loves him, and that is ample proof that he