Forgotten: A Stepping Stone to the Stars

By Richard D. Bangs

Aliens have landed in the outback of South Australia at a SETI station in the mystic land formation known as Wilpena Pound. They want to talk to Jarrod McKinley who just survived an attack on the SETI installation by a powerful force trying control first contact.

McKinley must guide those around him to become united and work with the aliens who must explain their secret history on Earth and hope Humans will forgive them.

The aliens also have a crisis on their home planet and a bureaucracy that is ready to abandon Earth.

But McKinley has not forgotten his life’s dream – to travel across the galaxy and explore the stars.

The aliens have not forgotten their goal, ensuring the survival of their species by getting people on Earth to accept them and join their quest to colonize the galaxy.

Everyone’s hopes and dreams threaten to be shattered by fear, suspicions and greed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532094750

Richard D. Bangs

Richard D. Bangs was born in Havre, Montana, raised on a farm fifteen miles from the Canadian border and graduated from Inverness High School. He attended Northern Montana College and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. He worked on newspapers for thirty years in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Australia. He is the author of Forsaken: Searching for God’s Fingerprints, Forgiven: Finding a Path Home and Forgotten: A Stepping Stone to the Stars. He lives in Littleton, Colorado, works for non-profits, writes and rides his bicycle.

Book preview

PART ONE

Soon the child learns there are strangers

and ceases to become a child.

Max Muller,

German-born philologist and Orientalist

CHAPTER 1

Flinders Ranges, South Australia, November 24, 2089

Beautiful, isn’t it, said Liza Alvarez as she smiled, looked out the window of their electric SUV and reached across to put a hand on Jarrod McKinley’s arm.

Kind’a reminds me of some parts of Mars. McKinley kept his hand on the steering wheel, his eyes darting between the rough gravel road, the rearview mirror and Alvarez. The red ridges, the rocks and red dust everywhere.

But look at all the trees and the spring-fed creeks. Australia’s not quite like a Martian desert. She took a drink from her water bottle.

The vehicle bounced and swerved a bit on the gravel road as they crossed the valley dotted with white gums along a small creek. White fluffy clouds floated in the sky. The road started up towards a ridge.

Thanks for suggesting this little picnic, said McKinley with another glance in the rearview mirror. We haven’t been alone for weeks. But…

Quit worrying. It was clear from the meeting this morning most of the delegates from around the world needed more time to consider what to do. Janet was smart to ask everyone to adjourn and come back again at 4:30. It’s a lot to digest, first contact with aliens.

The arrival of the aliens had come after nearly a year of trying to make contact and battling other forces which tried to wrest first contact away from the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence group.

I’m still worried, said McKinley with a glance to Alvarez as he swiped his brown hair away from his forehead. Are we sure the fighting is over? We don’t even know for sure who attacked us. They might try it again.

Try to forget about that for a bit. And keep your communicator turned off. I told Janet where we were going and that we’d be back well before the meeting. We just need a few hours by ourselves and you need to relax, said Alvarez. And we need to talk. Are we almost there?

I think the scenic viewpoint is just ahead, replied McKinley. It’s supposed to have some shade and tables where we can have lunch.

A minute later McKinley guided the vehicle into a turnout on a high point in the road about ten kilometers north of Wilpena Pound. They came to an easy stop, wheels crunching on gravel and the dust settling. They were in the middle of the rugged ridges of the Flinders Ranges, four hundred and fifty kilometers north of Adelaide, South Australia. At Wilpena Pound the ridges formed a horseshoe-shaped valley where SETI years ago installed a radio telescope to listen for signals from outer space.

Tucked into the western edge of the valley, near the top of the horseshoe and next to a sharp cut in the ridge was a SETI facility manned twenty-four hours a day. Only the top floor of the seven-story building was above ground; its flat roof, large windows, and stucco balconies disturbed the contours of the nearby rust-colored rocky ridges. The above ground level held a visitor’s center and conference room. In the back of the center was a motor pool with shop and vehicle charging stations. The six floors below held a communications center, labs, security, workshops and housing for about fifty people.

From the scenic viewpoint McKinley and Alvarez could make out the building and the small airport outside the Pound. They couldn’t see the crowds camped outside the Pound or the burned-out hulks of weapons someone used to try to take over first contact. Just inside the Pound near the edge of the building were three white dots, the large spaceships of the Progenians.

McKinley stepped out of the vehicle and stretched his nearly six-foot, one-inch, lean frame and cast another glance back at the road.

Something wrong? asked Alvarez. I don’t sense any danger.

Me either, but someone’s coming up behind us. About a kilometer back.

We have every reason to be cautious, said Alvarez as she walked around the vehicle and put her arm around McKinley’s waist, her head just topping his shoulder.

She had an athletic build enhanced by the training at the SETI Space Academy where she and McKinley had met.

We’ve been through a lot this last year and a half, she said. The academy, getting blown away at the Titan listening post, chasing all over Australia to uncover that Forsaken plot and salvaging first contact. Frankly, I think we’re lucky to be alive, she said, facing him, her hands on McKinley’s waist.

Couldn’t have done it without you. McKinley bent and kissed her.

McKinley gazed at Alvarez and wondered how he could be so lucky. He was in awe when he saw her at the academy. Her shiny black hair tied together in the back, her high cheek bones and full lips left him with his mouth open. It took him a week to get the courage to introduce himself and ask her out. They started dating at the academy and found they were both from rural areas, he from a farming community in Montana and she a small town in Alaska. Both had great appreciation for the outdoors, wildlife and nature. When, by chance, they were assigned to Titan, their relationship grew. Surviving the explosion of the post and going through the other traumas of the last eighteen months kept them close and deepened their relationship.

Quit your daydreaming and let’s get lunch out of the truck, Alvarez said and turned quickly, making her hair do that little flip that McKinley loved.

Have some delicious Vegemite sandwiches, said McKinley as he spread out their lunch on the table.

You’re kidding, shot back Alvarez with a laugh. Ugh. Anything but Vegemite.

You’re right. It’s turkey from the Thanksgiving dinner — and some apples and a couple of cookies, chortled McKinley.

They sat together on the same side of the table, with of view the valley. Alvarez scooted close so their shoulders touched. McKinley leaned into her.

It’s coming, McKinley thought and then said to himself.

I can feel it too. No big danger though, Alvarez responded.

No, maybe just a little, McKinley thought back.

A small car breeched the top of the hill. Its driver saw McKinley and Alvarez, slowed sharply and drove silently past. A minute later it had dropped down the other side of the hill and was out of sight.

McKinley’s shoulders sagged and he relaxed his arms.

Alvarez touched his arm and gave a little squeeze.

Okay. Time to talk about us, said Alvarez. You know I love you. We’ve been growing closer and closer with this telepathy thing and our abilities to sense danger. There’s a very deep connection, and I love it. But we need to make it official.

Official? asked McKinley. You mean get married?

Yes, silly. Get married. She gave him a little punch.

I love you too. You know I have since academy. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to get married. I’m just not sure the time is right.

Why, not? said Alvarez with a stern look on her face. I love you; you love me. What else do we need?

How about a little stability, a little safety? McKinley said and put his arm gently around her shoulders.

I know it’s been crazy, Alvarez said. But now we have a better idea of what’s going on. We’ve completed first contact. We have three aliens at Wilpena Pound and they appear to be on our side. That should offer some stability.

Perhaps, said McKinley. But we’re still not sure of the aliens’ motives or what they want from Earth. Many of those from around the world at Wilpena Pound are skeptical of the story about the Progenians colonizing Earth 10,000 years ago and coming back just to make amends. They are suspicious.

They probably do want something, said Alvarez. And we’ll be right in the middle of finding out what, but we are stronger together. We would be stronger if we were married and living together.

I don’t want to put you in danger, McKinley said. I want you to be safe.

I’m not that helpless, scoffed Alvarez. But I do feel safer with you around. I’m safer the closer I am to you and you are safer with me. Come on, let’s get married, she said with a smile and gave him a little jab.

Well, okay, McKinley said and squeezed her tightly around her shoulders as she put her arm around his waist and leaned her head against his chest.

When? asked Alvarez.

We’ll need to see what …, McKinley stopped and stared south.

Alvarez saw it at the same time. A large black smoke plume rose in the sky above Wilpena Pound.

A second later a sharp bang echoed across the valley.

We’ve got to go, McKinley said sharply and jumped up, gathering up their lunch things.

Yeah, off to the rescue, Alvarez said sarcastically.

Liza, McKinley said with some frustration.

I know, I know. We have to go.

A minute later they were speeding down the road, spewing gravel, raising a cloud of dust and trying to reach people on their communicators. After her voice-activated com flicked on Alvarez tapped into Wilpena Pounds security cameras. Videos flashing on the all-glass com screens showed firefighters racing to the campground in the midst of thick, black smoke.

Back at the scenic turnout the small car that had passed them earlier crept back up the hill and pulled in. A man and woman got out and inspected the table and surrounding area. The man picked up a small case from the ground, flipped it open and carefully inspected the contents.

This is good, he said. They can use this.

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Wilpena Pound emergency crews were still battling a fire in the campground outside of the Pound complex when McKinley and Alvarez arrived. Hundreds who had camped to get a view of the aliens were being held away by plastic yellow tape and security people. The security chief said the explosion occurred as his crew cleared burned out vehicles and artillery from the section of the campground where the attack had been launched at SETI.

We carefully inspected everything two days ago, the man explained to McKinley and Alvarez. Everything had been cleared. There was no danger. No booby traps, no explosives, but when we tried to move that fuel tank today it exploded, he said, pointing to a tank still ablaze.

Was anyone hurt? What caused the explosion?" asked McKinley.

Don’t know, replied the security chief. We’re looking into that. A couple of guys have ringing ears, but no serious injuries. Should have this mess cleaned up by tomorrow.

Show me more. I want to get closer, said McKinley.

As the security chief lead McKinley and Alvarez closer, a sense of danger began to waft toward them, like a silent, invisible fog.

You feel it? he asked Alvarez.

Yes. Just slightly. I don’t think anyone is here now, but they certainly were. And they were trying to do us some harm.

Damn, McKinley muttered. I was just out here last night trying to determine where this equipment came from, who built that artillery gun and who launched the attack. I found a few tools and what looked like spare parts. I marked it and was going to come back today to get a look in the daylight.

He turned to the security chief. Sorry I didn’t tell you about that. I didn’t know you were going to clear things out.

No problem sir, the security chief replied. While we were inspecting the site, we took detailed photos of every inch and this morning before we started moving things, we picked up those tools and parts. They’re in the office.

Great, said McKinley. We’ll want to look at those. Someone hasn’t given up. They didn’t stop first contact, but now they’re trying to sabotage what’s left. They’re still around. He cast a gaze around but saw only a crowd of onlookers watching from behind barricades, nothing suspicious.

I want a photo of that crowd, McKinley said to the security chief.

Already done, the chief replied.

Liza. I have to get to that meeting with Brighton and the rest of the world’s delegations. Can you take over here? Check out those tools and spare parts. And review the photos of the crowd. See if you can spot any suspicious looking characters.

Will do, replied Alvarez.

McKinley and Alvarez drove slowly back in to the SETI center, through the gates and the cut in the ridge, past the Progenian spaceships where people lined up for tours.

This is just what I feared, McKinley said. We’re not through with this fight.

Alvarez waited in silence.

But now I have to find Janet and see if she’s ready for the meeting.

What about what we were talking about? Alvarez said. When are we getting married?

Soon, I promise.

I’m going to hold you to that, said Alvarez. I’m going to start making plans. There’s people we need to invite who will take some time to get here.

Like who?

Your dad, for one. And my parents.

Doubt my father will come, McKinley said somberly.

Your dad loves you, Jarrod. I think you misunderstand him. Remember I spent some time with him this year, she said as they parked at the motor pool.

Not sure about that love part, McKinley scoffed. He’s done nothing but browbeat me for years. Nothing I do is good enough for him.

He’s very proud of you.

He was for a while. Everything was fine until I had to drop out of school after that accident. Ever since then, I’ve been a failure in his eyes. Or so he says.

Why do you say that?

I don’t say it, he does, said McKinley angrily. I have to go find Janet.

Jarrod, said Alvarez in frustration.

It’s okay, said McKinley as he reached out to take her hand. It’s between me and my father. I love you and want to get married. Go ahead and start making plans. Now I need to find Janet.

Go. Alvarez smiled and squeezed his hand.

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McKinley found Janet Brighton in the Pound’s SETI visitor center. It had been retrofitted into a room to host delegations from around the world that came to hear from the Progenians.

The walls between what had been the gift shop and a small auditorium had been taken out and seats added to accommodate about one hundred people. Chairs and a table were set up in front of the auditorium seats. Stronger lighting and a sound system had been installed and wired into the main conference room nearby that could hold another twenty-five people.

Are we ready? McKinley asked Brighton.

I’m ready. Not sure about everyone else, responded Brighton as she shuffled her notes. Brighton had a long history with SETI, dating back to when it was called SETI Special Command and run by the Rev. Paul Larchmont, a religious zealot who used the agency to promote his church. Brighton was the first to blow the whistle on Larchmont and was key to helping McKinley expose him.

Hear anything from the rest of the SETI Council? McKinley asked.

Not too much, Brighton responded with a shake of her head. Only some hints the Russians are going to be the biggest problem.

At fifty-two, Brighton had been an executive with an American technology company and McKinley relied heavily on her organizing and leadership skills. She was about five foot six inches tall and had a slight but sturdy build. Her blonde hair was straight and trimmed to tuck under her chin. She used reading glasses when needed.

I guess that’s to be expected, said McKinley. They are upset they were not on the original SETI World Council.

That’s their own fault, responded Brighton firmly. They demanded too much given their role in space today and were quite hostile to other members of the council, China, the USNA and the EU.

It was probably a mistake to exclude them, replied McKinley. They did launch the first human into space more than one hundred years ago, and their space program is growing again. I think we’re going to have to make some concessions. They still carry a lot of military and economic influence in the world.

We’ll see, responded Brighton. I’m willing to listen and be reasonable.

Good, said McKinley. Must be getting close to 4:30. He looked up to see some delegations arriving in the room.

He shifted his chair and fiddled with his notes on the table. He felt his sense of danger quivering. His growing abilities to detect danger had alerted him several times in the past year, including the recent attack on SETI’s complex. Now danger signals were coming from many of those entering the room. People were afraid and they wanted to hold him accountable.

He had been the public face of the new SETI organization since the Forsaken scandal was toppled, giving public appearances around the world. When a new signal asked specifically for him, he returned to Australia and lead the effort to maintain control of first contact.

Five days ago, an attack had Wilpena Pound near collapse when an alien force stepped in to save them.

Shock turned into amazement when four days later McKinley introduce an alien, Jaso, who introduced via a holographic presentation Athrena from a planet orbiting a star in the Alpha Centauri system. She said the Progenians, as they called themselves, tried to colonize Earth 10,000 years ago, had failed but had been watching the planet for at least seven thousand years. Now Progenia was asking Earth to join them in colonizing the galaxy.

But the story was filled with enormous gaps. Where were the colonies? What happened to the colonists? What happened to the indigenous populations? It was McKinley’s, and the SETI council’s, job to try to calm nerves, answer questions and plot a course forward.

McKinley shifted his chair to make room behind the table a table for Jaso, the Progenian, and members of the SETI World Council. As delegations from around the world squeezed into the makeshift auditorium, the noise drowned out conversations. McKinley took a deep breath.

Good morning, said McKinley, leaning into the microphone. It looks as if all delegations are here so, please, find a seat and we will begin. Please, everyone be seated, he said, a little louder.

When the chattering had quieted to a dull murmur, McKinley continued.

I am sure you all have many questions about what we heard yesterday from Jaso and his fellow Progenian, McKinley said, gesturing to the Progenian sitting next to him. It was a fantastical story and hard to believe. Today we will try to answer as many questions as we can. Detailed answers may have to come later and with the full cooperation of the Progenians, I am sure.

Jaso nodded in ascent.

Today we need to establish some structure and a way to proceed, McKinley said. As we have said, the SETI World Council was established only to oversee first contact. Now that contact has been completed, we have far bigger questions to resolve. What kind a group do we form to represent Earth in discussions with Progenia Prime? How do we ensure that all of Earth’s people are fairly represented? How should the day-to-day communications with the Progenians proceed? How will issues be discussed and decisions made?

When McKinley paused, several people started to speak at the same time. We don’t need a structure, we need answers! one said. What do they want? Are we in danger? Can we trust them? Fear and paranoia filled the room.

Please. McKinley stood. "All very good questions. I will ask Jaso to address some of those concerns and brief you again on what you heard yesterday, but I will ask him to keep his presentation short. We need to begin our relations with the Progenians in an orderly way which will foster an efficient and equitable dissemination of information to all of humanity.

Jaso, please brief the assembly again.

Jaso stood. He was at least fifteen centimeters taller than McKinley, very thin but muscular. He moved in a fluid motion that hinted he was in great shape. His short dark brown hair topped a slightly oval shaped face, punctuated by a slender nose and light hazel eyes.

Leaders of Earth, Jaso began, "I can assure you our presence here is nothing but peaceful. We are trying to right a wrong we inflicted on Earth nearly 10,000 years ago. Our colonists were able to survive and integrate themselves with the indigenous peoples of Earth.

For centuries we have watched and waited until a time we could appear and invite you to join our Grand Vision. That plan will spread our culture, our civilization, to other habitable planets in this region of the galaxy. By doing this, we would help to ensure the survivability of our species. The reason we are here now is that you, Earth, are ready. Your recent forays into space and your technological advances suggest your planet is on the verge of interstellar travel. Not only do we want your partnership in the Grand Vision, we also want to give you the tools needed to make interstellar exploration possible. You have nothing to fear. This will be a partnership between willing parties. There will be no dictates, no final orders. You will not be forced to do anything that you, as a planet, do not want to do.

Jaso thanked the crowd and sat down.

Prove it! Shouted one person. We need evidence, said another.

The head of the Russian delegation raised his hand and McKinley motioned for him to speak.

We agree with our fellow delegates, said the Russian as he half turned and raised his arm to acknowledge the people in the small auditorium and spilling out into the converted visitors’ center. We will need some hard evidence before we believe this story, and we want to know exactly what these aliens want from Earth.

Alright, alright, said McKinley as he stood again and held up his hand. It’s clear, and understandably so, we have many skeptics in the crowd. He leaned and whispered in Brighton’s ear. She looked at him and nodded.

Janet and I, and the SETI World Council, discussed this earlier and we believe that to get detailed answers we should form two committees. One to investigate the story of the Progenians’ colonization of Earth to determine what their intentions were. The other committee will establish the basic procedures of how we communicate with Progenians. We don’t want to leave anyone out of the communications. All the people of Earth deserve to know what the Progenians are telling us and what they have in mind for this new relationship. I would suggest every country be represented on both committees. Can we all agree on that?

There were murmurs of ascent from around the room.

Good. I’m calling a short recess. Each country should select no more than two people for each committee, the fact-finding committee and the communications committee. When you’re done, return here and we’ll proceed.

McKinley sat down, let out a sigh, leaned to his right and whispered into the ear of Brighton, First hurdle overcome.

I’m still worried about the Russians, said Brighton.

They’ll come around, McKinley said with little confidence.

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Things were anything but calm at the World Headquarters of Galactic Mining Enterprises in New York City on the sixty-fifth floor of a shiny steel skyscraper.

How did this happen? shouted a steely-eyed executive whose gray hair and wrinkled face belied his strong and erect stature. He leaned forward over his large mahogany desk and pointed his finger at a man in a security uniform. Behind him were photos of a mining operation in the asteroid belt and ice mining on Mars. Large drapes pulled back from the windows to reveal a view of Central Park and the New York skyline.

We had our best operative working on this. We were supposed to be controlling this first contact. Where the hell is Colin Riley? demanded Randolph Turnbridge, the CEO of Galactic Mining Enterprises.

Don’t know, sir, replied a tall muscular man, shifting on his feet, his hands clasped together.

As chief of security and corporate intelligence, you should know, snapped Turnbridge. "Find Riley. I want some answers before I have his head. We’re not giving up now. There’s too much at stake.

We need that new technology, the faster than light travel, the cloaking, and what the hell was that weapon they used to disable all our forces at Wilpena Pound?

Our intelligence says it was some kind of sonic weapon, replied the security chief. It didn’t kill anyone but disabled men and machines.

Well, I want that, Turnbridge said in a low menacing tone. And I don’t want every Tom, Dick and Harry around the planet having the same things. Our domination of mineral extraction in this solar system depends on it.

I’m already on it, the security man said. "I’ve got people at Wilpena Pound causing trouble and looking for an opening. I’ve got others trying to track down Riley, although that could be difficult