Inevitable Uncertainty

By Isaac Hill Sr.

Is the worst yet to come, or will there be a darkness that precedes the dawn as everyone awaits the last days? And can it be possible that the last days are the new beginning of what is truly marvelous and worth every struggle, both real and imaginary? This matter of inevitable uncertainty is a lifelong challenge that will not yield to the intentions of the best plans. One must endure its magnitude with boldness and faith that is nurtured in the mind and deposited into the heart, where every beat pounds it into submission to indomitable will, lest despair direct one to an insignifi cant fate. I believe! One must proclaim, and then prophesy to the horizon whether it forebodes malady or casts a sweet allurement. I will! One must proclaim in spite of dissenters who prove to be great fair weather company along for the ride. And one must pray that one will survive through the foolish measures of their own unbridled bravery, while the course through the unknown looms as an undefeatable giant. No time is wasted, for every step forward is progress and every resting place is a recharge, every fall is a chance to rise again. Surely the demons will howl when the moon rises and the day vultures will soar in the midst of the trial, which hardens your resolve, and you shall laugh when your victory shuts their mouths. And those who laugh last, laughs best.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503549913

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.

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Copyright © 2015 by Isaac Hill Sr.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015903524

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-5035-4990-6

   Softcover   978-1-5035-4992-0

   eBook   978-1-5035-4991-3

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.

Rev. date: 12/17/2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Three Important Men

Chapter 2 Wingate’s Arraignment

Chapter 3 To Nutopia

Chapter 4 A Shaky Deal

Chapter 5 The Weasel

Chapter 6 Riches And Virtue

Chapter 7 Missions Accomplished

Chapter 8 Who Is Marc Brown

Chapter 9 Who Is Bright Shadow

Chapter 10 Freedom Time

Chapter 11 Condition Green

Chapter 12 A Great Party

Chapter 13 A Loose End

Chapter 14 Nutopian Examination

Chapter 15 Akim Silim’s Deal

Chapter 16 Tying Knots

Chapter 17 A Conceivable Myth

Chapter 18 Confirmation Of Causes

Chapter 19 A Dragon In Space

Chapter 20 Plans

DEDICATION

In Memory of Cherice Amelia Hill Page,

my Cheer Leader in Glory.

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CHAPTER 1

Three Important Men

When William Urskin, the director of the Worlds Space Alliance arrived at Mars Alpha, he did not expect to find as mysterious a situation as his illegal and unexpected visit is. JML Brown, Harry Whitter, and Louis DeJesus are unavailable without explanation, and the remaining Worlds Space Council members are acting very strange as far as he is concerned. They all seem too busy or reluctant to discuss the whereabouts of these three essential councilmen. And Suite One of the Royale Hotel is devoid of two aliens he has planned on meeting face to face. He could not subdue the rage which welled up inside him, a rage which the Chamber care taker, who is always known as the InnKeeper, will be the first to be subjected to his wrath, and insolence.

This is totally unacceptable! William Urskin ranted as he devised a scheme in his mind to make changes which would alleviate his distress. What is going on around here? he asked the InnKeeper.

We are preparing for Dr. Wingate’s trial sir. Judge Jack Milford, and attorneys Milton Jones and William Stanton have already arrived with court officer Simone’. We are expecting Dr. Sigmund Ludwich to arrive by morning. They will all be quartered inside Suite One, the InnKeeper informed William Urskin politely.

Where are my key people – on holiday?

They do not answer to me sir. I cannot tell you where they are. Sarah Ming is acting director. She is in Venus Alpha installing security for the expected evacuation process. Would you like me to contact her and set up a teleconference for you? the Innkeeper asked politely but William Urskin remained jagged.

Absolutely and right away if you will. This is absurd, where are the aliens?

Probably in Sector B or Space Zero sir, the InnKeeper answered while he prepared a tele-screen for Urskin.

Probably you say… William Urskin wanted to explode for having to bear with the nonchalant put off the Innkeeper was performing. He took a deep breath and waited for a screen to Sarah Ming. Looking around he could see that the Oval Chamber is immaculate. He rubbed his hand over the highly polished oval table top and sat down in the alert chair which JML Brown sits in. He thumped the table top with his fingertips and whistled as a sign of boredom or impatience, perhaps a blend of both. But any impatience on his part is unjustifiable since he has taken a long roundabout route to Mars Alpha to evade Condition Orange security check points, and has used his authority to intimidate lanes and dock security to land at Mars Alpha’s Executive Space Dock. The route he has traveled, and dock he has landed at, are all off limits to all non-essential personnel during Condition Orange protocol. His name is at the top of that list.

The InnKeeper placed a telecommunications screen and speaker in front of him which instantly lit up with the image of Dame Sarah Ming. Good day Mr. Urskin, this is a surprise. I hope I look all right? she asked with a glowing smile and William Urskin could sense her unshakable resolve already.

Hello Sarah, I hadn’t expected to have to confer with you, but you seem to be the only one available. You look fine. Now tell me, where is your boss and his cohorts?

I beg your pardon William, but is this a trick request or something? Sarah asked with a perplexed expression on her face which William did not want to believe is genuine.

Are you going to be a blockade Sarah? The WSC answers to the WSA Sarah, not the other way around. With all that has been happening up here, I’d expect that everyone would be present and accounted for, claimed Urskin.

Everything that has happened sir, happened when they were present. Everything that has been resolved, has been resolved when they were present. Their absence will not prevent the future from arriving sir. We are on schedule with our plans, and as long as you don’t blow your brains out and disrupt a tranquil moment, everything will proceed just fine. No disrespect intended sir.

I am the boss here Sarah, I have a right to know where my people are at all times during work hours.

We are under Condition Orange protocol sir. Your name is at the top of the nonessential personnel list. You are in violation of your own law. Don’t expect my cooperation and be grateful for my hospitality. You are welcome to get your hands dirty with all the work that is going on. I will not be a tour guide or suffer through an unwarranted inspection. Our plates are full William, the people over here feel that they have been abandoned to a cruel fate. They are looking for someone to blame. And it is a tossup between Marc Brown and Theodore Wingate. Would you like your name added to the list? It’s an explosive situation. I hope I still look good. You don’t look well at all.

Things are not well on Earth. There is a widespread belief that an impending doom of some sort will occur soon; and its origin is out here. News reports won’t cut it anymore. I believe that people expect an alien invasion and uncertainty is taking a toll on everyone’s nerves.

And so you are up here to get closer to the facts, huh. All of our news reports are accurate and true William. We will not manufacture a fantasy to calm the world’s nerves. The aliens are here and in every embarrassing episode of Human error they have been helpful in restoring us back to normal. That is the only truth we withhold as not to shame our race. They are not the cause of the hydronium ore depletion which is the greater misery and probable cause of an impending doom. I will not discuss what we know about Wingate with anyone, but here is a hint. It has a lot to do with fear, bias, and greed. We are our own worst enemies when we fracture our organizations with mistrust. If you think I am a barrier between you and your access to Marc Brown and associates, then trust that it is for good reasons. TRUST ME, Sarah requested.

Well then you convey this message to Marc Brown. Many corporations are looking for a scape goat also. They do not want to admit that they have been caught with their pants down. They’d rather blame Marc for not being more attentive to subjects and policies that are not in his job description which they feel he should have knowledge of anyway. They are not concerned with noble causes and professional ethics as Marc Brown is. They want to replace him with a different kind of animal; someone who they can raise the level of accountability to their purposes. And they want to institute bureaucratic measures that will stifle progress. They are no longer interested in the loyalty and honesty of Sir JML Browns WSC.

Shame on them William. They too can be replaced. I don’t suppose you can be more specific and provide us with the names of our accusers? This cowardly stuff must cease, these actors without faces; shame on them. What will we have to fear next, covert paid assassins?

I wouldn’t put it past them. But that sort of decree will not come until after Wingate’s trial which may take the wind out of all of our sails and a whole different scheme of things will come into being.

Then we will stand our ground until death and exit as achievers for the sake of humanity and allow the historians to sort out the truth. Be assured William that our antagonists who are using malicious subterfuge will not go undiscovered or unpunished forever. BELIEVE ME, said Sarah. You enjoy your visit sir, Sarah Ming out. The screen went dark before Urskin could reply.

She is a remarkable woman, said the InnKeeper.

Yes she is – too remarkable, William added. I need a Suite for my aide and crew, can you arrange that InnKeeper?

I will contact the Royale sir, Suite Two may be available.

Marc Brown has full trust in Sarah Ming, she probably knows exactly where he is, William conjectured aloud.

I don’t think Marc Brown would put her in that position sir. It is much easier on her if she truly does not know. And perhaps that goes for you too sir.

William Urskin laughed at his situation. Why not laugh he thought. Aside from the sounds of business and the unwelcomed stares he received from the chamber associates, everything else is as well as can be expected. No one has approached him to arrest him, which is within their power, and so he deemed that professional respect will not allow them to. Or maybe they feel that they would need orders from Marc Brown to place him in irons and upset their little heaven.

Suite Two was made available to him and his aides and crew who did not bother to check in at the front desk. The InnKeeper noted and logged the peculiar circumstances of William Urskin’s arrival and quartering.

Jesse Turner is one of the 143 people who were rescued from being roasted alive inside the Transversing Car during the Venus Alpha explosion’s and after-burn. He is also one of the 56 who had to be quartered temporarily inside First Stop Shopping on the moon as per Sheik Akim Silim’s generosity. But Jesse finds that these arrangements, which have been secured by the Worlds Space Council’s intervention into the matter, to be unsuitable. He has been cut off from most outside communications and has become obsessively concerned about what is going on inside of Venus Alpha and the Tri-planet region. He is a maintenance specialist who services the intricate electromechanical and pneumatic equipment throughout the station which needs constant care. In this capacity he has access to all of the public and many of the private locations where equipment is installed. He sees and hears a lot of things which need not be mentioned for peace sake. But when he watched his best friend in all the worlds get blasted into outer space by the explosion which jeopardized his life and killed ten others, the agony of the grief he now suffers is compounded by the mental anguish which desires that he learn of the meaning of this tragedy.

Excuse me sir, Jesse called out to the man in the cot nearest his.

You talking to me pal? the man lying on the cot asked as if he would rather not be bothered.

Yes, I never seen you before, do you know what is going on? Jesse asked softly

We are being quartered here until they can repair our permanent quarters.

You don’t live in Venus Alpha on my level. I know everyone on my level, and you was not inside the Transversing Car either. What is going on? Jesse demanded.

For your information pal, I have recently been assigned to Venus Alpha and would have taken permanent quarters were it not for the explosion damages, the man scolded.

Jesse took a long look at this man nearest him and decided he could talk to him, he moved his cot closer to him and whispered. I think we are at war with the aliens.

Why would you think that? Be quiet, go to sleep or something. You will feel better when you wake up, advised the man in a mellower tone of voice.

Jesse’s eyes began to tear and he sniffled like a child. His voice cracked as he continued to speak against the man’s advice. I saw my best friend get blasted right out into space. He was right below the blast. I hope they catch the person who set that bomb off, cried Jesse.

The man looked at grief stricken Jesse and in a compassionate tone offered his condolences but was curious about Jesse’s statement. What makes you think someone detonated a bomb? Everyone else is saying that someone mixed some alien chemicals that they were unable to control and boom! the man said quietly.

Varoomb! Jesse whispered. It was a mining bomb.

It was an experiment gone badly, the man argued under his breath with clenched teeth.

That is what they want us to believe. They don’t want us to know that we are under attack, cried Jesse softly as he looked around to see if anyone was concerned about the conversation he was having with the man nearest him.

Who are they you keep talking about? the man asked sharply.

The Humans that are on the alien’s side. Jesse whispered.

Oh lord pal, you’re off of your rocker, the man laughed. If I was on the aliens side, you would be in trouble now, wouldn’t you? But since I am on the Human’s side, I think you should tell the proper authorities what you told me. They will need all of the help that they can get.

Jesse stared at the man and thought for an instant before asking him who he thought the proper authorities were.

There is an investigator in Mars Alpha named Sir Louis DeJesus on the case. I think he is the one that you need to talk to. He is one of those who would be trying to bring a bomber to justice, the man advised Jesse as he stared directly into Jesse’s eyes with a serious expression.

Oh no, he’s a Knight. I don’t mess with those people. Jesse seemed genuinely afraid.

Well that’s my advice pal, you do what you want to do. But if you want to catch your friend’s killer, you will tell someone who can do something about it. Sir Louis DeJesus is the man.

Sir Harry Whitter is a Knight too, Leon told me to stay away from him. He said he is two-faced.

Who’s Leon?

My friend who was killed by the explosion.

Look pal I don’t want to hear anything else from you. All you want to do is gossip. I got no use for it. If my best friend were killed by someone, I wouldn’t be talking to a complete stranger about what I know. What is wrong with you? a clearly angry man argued.

I’m sorry, you’re right. My name is Jesse Turner, what’s your name sir?

I am JT too, get it, Jim Travore, said a calmer man. I bet Leon used to call you JT for short too. Our initials have a nice ring to them, don’t you think so? said a friendlier angry man as they shook each other’s hands about the coincidence.

Yes, they do sound nice and Leon did call me JT a lot of times. I loved him Jim, Jesse declared.

Well then you should at least ask the other people you know if they know anything. There may be some pieces that can be put together which will help nab the bomber.

I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it. Everyone in Venus Alpha knows that you make it in there by minding your own business.

Jim became furious. Then why are you trying to sap information out of me for? Have you got a mental problem dude or are you toying with me? I don’t play games with grown men, I’ll kick your ass. And Jim meant every word he said. And he is about to get Jesse and himself expelled from First Stop Shopping should Jesse utter another word.

I am not playing games with you man. What… and before Jesse could finish his sentence, Jim began destroying his cot on Jesse’s body. Jesse curled up in his cot and screamed aloud as Jim kicked him over and over, real hard, with the sole of his foot.

Help! Help! Jesse cried and a security officer had to push his way through a swiftly forming crowd to get to the disturbance. One zap of a stun ray each quelled the scuffle and they both sat on the floor somewhat limp while the officer hand and leg cuffed them. After a few minutes they were able to stand up and walk to the security bus which will carry them to Mars Alpha for a chat with Sir Louis DeJesus. The pilot explained to them that since he is alone, they will need to remain strapped hand and feet to their security compartments until they arrive at Mars Alpha. He provided them with urinal cups and informed them that number two will have to go in their pants.

I can’t believe you treat innocent people like this, Jesse complained as he made immediate use of the urinal cup. Where are you taking me to sir?

Watch your back cellie, he may toss that piss at you, Jim shouted and the pilot turned around and saw Jim looking at Jesse with an intimidating stare.

You’re crazy, Jesse snapped. Maybe this piss should come in your direction.

Calm down you two, you will get your chance to kiss and make up after you state your cases. You have earned yourselves a trip to Mars Alpha free of charge. Since this is a slow boat, I hope we can have a nice smooth uneventful trip. I would hate to have to zap you into total or fatal unconsciousness for the next ten hours, so let’s thank God for small blessings and make the best of it, said the pilot. Jim and Jesse quieted down.

What’s going to happen to me when I get to Mars Alpha? asked Jesse.

I don’t know, but I think it will depend on what the fight was all about. What’s your name sir? the pilot asked politely.

Jesse Turner, I am a maintenance specialist in Venus Alpha for ten years now. I have a spotless record, and now this.

Thanks for the information – and you sir, the pilot turned about and looked Jim in his face, what is your name?

Jim Travore.

What happened Jim? the pilot asked.

I was laying in my bunk, minding my own business, when this stranger starts asking me if I knew what was going on. I answered him, and since he has never seen me in Venus Alpha before, he accused me of being a liar. And then he started weeping and going on about his best friend who was blown out into space right before his eyes when someone detonated a mining bomb. And before I knew it, we were at war with the aliens, and some Humans are on their side. But he was asking me what I knew. I told him he should tell the proper authorities that he believed a bomb was detonated, and he accused them of being untrustworthy. That was it for me. I admit it; I tried to shove my foot up his ass.

Couldn’t you have just move to another spot?

I liked my spot – well, I gather it felt better to wax his ass.

You caught me off guard. You try that junk again and we’ll see whose butt gets waxed, declared Jesse.

What was it like inside the transversing car Jesse? asked the pilot.

It was hell. I was looking at Leon. He was working in the weightless part of the mail loading dock, right near the external receiving gate when – varboomb! The entire area shook and Leon was blasted into pieces into outer space. I couldn’t believe my eyes, well I didn’t want to. And all at once people started jamming into the car before I could get out. The emergency strobes flashed and the horns sounded, and the transversing car doors automatically locked everyone inside as its emergency system engaged. Another series of explosions shook everything and the whole area outside around us turned black with smoke and the temperature inside the car began to rise swiftly. People were screaming and crying as some fainted and others tried to remain standing to keep from being crushed beneath a mound of fallen people. It was horrible. But when I thought of Leon in the hot blackness, all of the screams seemed muffled and I allowed myself to sit in the corner where I was forced into and just cried.

Both the pilot and Jim leant empathetic ears to Jesse’s story, What happened next? asked the pilot.

It got hotter and people gave up on screaming and just moaned and struggled to breathe. And then a bright light appeared and turned bright amber. All you could hear then was heavy breathing as if everyone was one body. Not long after the light appeared, the smoke was sucked out of the area around us and we could see the devastation inside the loading dock. Things began to cool down and I stood up and saw what looked like a tornado in space swirling at a tremendous speed. No, it was the stuff flying around it, because when it was all gone, all I could see was a translucent image that turned into a wobbly white light and disappear. Rescue crews came and freed us from the transversing car.

The aliens saved the day, didn’t they Jesse? asked the pilot.

It was their stuff that caused the most damage.

He told me a mining bomb was detonated, snapped Jim.

The mining bomb blew the hole in the side. There were other explosions which caused the heat and fire. Space plastic does not ignite like it did in the absence of oxygen, it just melts. There had to be some alien elements involved. Mining bombs hit with precise force and accuracy without heat. Varoomb! No other portable bomb sounds like that.

I think that Jim is right Jesse. You should tell the proper authorities. It would be very important to Sir Louis DeJesus’s investigation and perhaps Wingate’s trial. Tell me this, if you were given tests to determine your ability to distinguish the sound of mining bombs from other bombs, how would you do?

One hundred out of one hundred, no other bomb sounds like mining bombs. I wouldn’t care if you exploded one under water, same sound. I worked with mining bombs for years before I came up here. Oh no – now wait a minute. Why should I trust the WSC, they are looking for a patsy to save JML Brown’s behind. Right now they are playing pin the tail on Wingate. That is why he is in custody and the investigation continues.

That is not true Jesse, they want the real culprit. Do you understand me? asked the pilot.

Heh, heh, heh, he blew his own homey away. That is what is really troubling him, Jim accused, and Jesse strained at his straps to get at him. Fat chance you nut, you’re all tied up. Jim laughed maliciously.

Don’t let him bother you Jesse, just relax. You say that you have a ten years running clean record with Venus Alpha. You should be proud of yourself. How did you accomplish that? the pilot asked.

Jesse knows better than to say by minding his own business which is what Jim is waiting to hear him say to fuel his ridicule. Venus Alpha is a tough assignment, but no other company in the Tri-planet area pays as well for what I do. My plan is to get in and get out after fifteen years with an excellent retirement account.

Well I hate to burst your bubble but Hydronium Corporation and Daxton Robotics will be vacating Venus Alpha soon. It seems they have run out of hydronium ore on Venus and money on Earth. How will that affect your plan? asked the pilot.

I work for Venus Alpha Enterprises which is a subsidiary of Mars Alpha. Someone will have to keep the station from being pulled into Venus’s gravity as well as keep essential interior functions running properly for the remaining companies. My problem is, how will the alien affair affect us?

Who do you think would have the balls to plant a bomb Jesse?

You mean who would be stupid enough? Jesse asked the pilot.

Yes!

Oh hell, now things are getting dangerous to answer again, aren’t they? What does it matter what I think? Who cares what I think? As a matter of fact, I don’t think anything. I’ll tell you this much. Certain people got highly upset when the laboratory closed its doors to the public and Humans. Whoever needs to, can get the names of those people themselves; my lips are sealed. Oh man, and there is bible prophecy about these times that aligns with the thoughts of many people and what is evident. Search the scriptures, said Jesse.

I take time out each day to read, and the bible is in my tablet, what scriptures are you referring to Jesse? asked the pilot.

Hey, what is this, Sunday school? Jim cried. Jesse and the pilot ignored Jim and the pilot opened the scriptures to Jesse’s favorite translation and allowed Jesse to read from his tablet.

‘2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 3 to 13 explains what is happening, it reads; Now this is about the coming of Jesus and about false prophets. The bible warns that we should not be carried away and be deceived by what they say. Two things must happen before Jesus comes again. First, there will be a time of great rebellion against God because the man of rebellion will come – the son of hell and he will defy every god that there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship. The Apostle Paul says that this man will govern as if he were God, even claiming himself as such. But this man will appear at the right time when the work he must take up will already be in progress and the one that is holding him back will step away. But then the same wicked one will appear who God will destroy with the breath of his mouth so that the man of sin will come as Satan’s tool, full of satanic power, and will trick everyone with strange demonstrations, and will do great miracles. He will completely fool those who are on their way to hell because they would rather believe a lie than the TRUTH. They will love their folly and embrace it and God will let them believe lies with all of their hearts. They will all be justly judged by God for believing falsehood, rejecting the truth, and relishing their sins.’

JML Brown and the council are working together to deceive people with their disappearing spaceship and cloned Humans they call aliens. They had to destroy the laboratory to keep the truth from coming out too soon. That is what I and a lot of other people believe. The bomber is just a pawn in Satan’s hands. Satan does not care who gets killed in the process.

Damn Jesse, a religious zealot will have just as much of a motive to plant a bomb if they were to try and prevent the prophecy or pin the crime on the council. You can be suspect.

Don’t you think I know that? It is an inevitable spiritual matter of destiny to me, there is no preventing of it. One must choose to be on the lord’s side when the crap hits the fan. I could never do such an evil deed on purpose. ‘Numbers: chapter 35, verses 11 and 12, reads as follows; there should be places of refuge for anyone to flee to, who have killed someone accidentally to protect them from the dead person’s relatives who want to avenge their death.’ The killer must be given a fair trial. Jesse said and began to tremble.

The scriptures apply to us all Jesse. Whatever God intends on doing does not relieve us from carrying out our Christian duty. If you know about a conspiracy to bring the present administration down by violent means, and will not tell the proper authorities, then you are a co-conspirator, explained the pilot.

I lost a dear friend in that explosion, someone I love as much, maybe more than myself. He helped me to remain steadfast and kept me from quitting on many occasions. And now he is gone out of my life forever. I don’t want to die in my sins, but I cannot go up against the WSC. I may have inadvertently helped the bomber. I won’t lie on anyone or even say that I think it is a particular person. But there are some coincidental facts which I will not admit to on this bus, in front of that animal, confessed Jesse before he held his head low and sobbed.

It’s okay Jesse, I understand more than you realize. Everyone has skeletons in the closet. It’s a place of prayer for many of us. Good deeds won’t change the mal-effects some of our actions cause, but truth and justice will come to light if the proper people handle the situation. You know that. That is why you choose not to speak in front of Jim here. But you are going to have to trust someone or carry this load with yourself and your god. It is apparent to me that you want to trust someone, and I think if you keep on going on like this you will eventually find comfort In Satan’s sympathy, so to speak, in other words, in the wrong person. Do you want to go to hell Jesse?

No! Jesse cried out in anguish.

You have got to pull yourself together, your own misery cannot absolve you or bring you peace. You must forgive yourself before others will forgive you. Some people will be disgusted by the tearful remorse of a person who will not avenge the innocent dead just by telling what they know to the proper authorities. You have made the first step Jesse. Be a winner.

I will see your man and tell him what happened when we arrive at Mars Alpha.

I am going to hold you to your word Jesse, try not to change your mind.

I won’t change my mind. I am convinced that it is the best thing to do.

Thank God, I think we are going to make good things happen, in memory of Leon.

Amen, said Jim. Now how about some shut-eye?

At Jim’s request the pilot dimmed the lights and placed the bus on automatic pilot. They all fell asleep one by one. The trip through serene space was uneventful, however, when they arrived at Mars Alpha, the pilot was surprised to learn that Sir Louis DeJesus is unavailable. Mary Brown made arrangements for Jesse Turner to be taken to Suite One where he could freshen up and be interviewed by the court which will try Wingate to determine if he has anything to say which will shed light on court proceedings. Jim Travore, alias Jim Trippe of Bucco’s Galactic Security, who was planted among the Venus Alpha refugees to listen to, and report any conversation which could be clues to the identity of a bomber, was released from his bonds to other duties inside Mars Alpha. The pilot freshened up, ate a hearty meal and bunked down for the evening. Dame Ella Judith came to Suite One to witness what it is Jesse Turner is wanting to confess that may be important to the Wingate Trial. Both attorneys will be present at Jesse’s interview.

Jesse freshened himself and was served a fine meal. He was treated with utmost respect and hospitality. They made him feel as special as they are hoping his testimony will be.

Mr. Turner, you were brought here for us to determine if what you have to say has any value in the case of the people versus Wingate. You are not here to speak for, or against him. We will decide which is best. Do you understand this sir? explained Ella Judith.

Yes.

Okay, this is a recorded session as of now, you may proceed Mr. Turner.

I think I may have helped the bomber blow up the Venus Alpha laboratory. For quite some time I worked for a personnel service called Mr. M which Leon got me involved in so I could earn some extra money. I was given the job because I have access to most places throughout the station and the cover of maintenance cabinets and crawl spaces. The job did not pay the amount of money people would kill for, and the types of information I gathered and reported were the things disgruntled employees would do and say, such as painting graffiti or putting nose boogers on the walls or handrails. And there was a bit of malicious gossip about certain supervisors. These people were usually transferred to other departments or not allowed back into the station from their furloughs on Earth. When the laboratory shut its doors to the corporations, Mr. M wanted me to report all those who didn’t like it and were threatening to take any kind of retaliatory action. But the difference was that I was given a schedule to be in certain areas at specific times and send a signal if the area was occupied or not. This arrangement made it a bit more difficult to carry out my maintenance duties and the people I reported were relocated. I didn’t think much of being a snitch, I rather enjoyed it. And it was not as if I was being asked to kill my mother or anyone. I really believed that what I was doing was for the good of the station. I usually did not examine general maintenance reports, those guys do not like me butting into their business, but I couldn’t help but notice that on most occasions when I was sent to give an attendance signal, the Maintenance Reports showed unexplained security camera failures which repaired themselves before maintenance could troubleshoot the problem. I left a note on my modified communications set about the coincidence before leaving it in the required location for pickup by the next covert agent and I no longer was asked to do attendance signaling anymore until the day of the explosion. I was assigned a signal path and my last station was to leave the device inside the transversing car’s control panel. After completing my assigned round I turned off the device and placed it inside the control panel and an indication light lit up on it and then Varoomb! A sound that I am very familiar with, a mining bomb detonated and shook everything. You know the rest of the story. Jesse waited to hear the court’s response. Defense attorney Milton Jones looked Jesse square in his eyes and asked him if he paid taxes from his payments by Mr. M Personnel Services.

Yes, replied Jesse.

Good, I think you have provided us with some vital information Jesse. If you get any repercussions for your honesty, here is my card.

Thank you Attorney Jones, said Jesse with a smile for feeling relieved.

Can we expect you to testify at trial under examination or will we have to subpoena you Mr. Turner? asked the prosecuting attorney Gregory Stanton.

I’ll testify.

"Well Ella, he is all yours, do with him as