Beside the Universe

By J. T. Ryan

Beside the Universe is a trilogy from three previous titles: Beyond the Benign, Aside from Infinity, and Across the Cosmos. These mostly science fiction short stories have been partially re-written, and in some cases amplified for clarity or to better convey their content. A few new stories have also been added to replace those deemed of less interest. Readers will find a wide range of curious topics: extra-terrestrials, robotic androids, climate change, dark matter, biotechnology, the American Indian spirit world, and much more!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665553612

J. T. Ryan

Author, J. T. Ryan now lives in Hawaii, previously in San Diego. A graduate from UCLA and San Diego State, Mr. Ryan served in the U. S. Air Force and later worked for the Navy, and at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. This edition is a trilogy from three previous publications, focused on science or speculative fiction. Mr. Ryan’s academic work and background are represented to some degree by the various stories. The tales are intended to be entertaining samples from topics of current scientific interest. The reader will also notice references to history, humor, and music favorites.

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© 2022 J. T. Ryan. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/17/2022

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5355-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5361-2 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

A Preface

Beside the Universe implies that other universes exist in addition to this one, which we think we’re well acquainted with. Parallel universes or multiverses, have been proposed by physicists and others for many years. Some have suggested that multiverses are disconnected regions of space-time. However, you might ask, where would such a parallel universe be found – within our existing one, or in a totally different arena?

Stephen Hawking was perhaps the most prominent physicist to propose the existence of multiverses. Based on his calculations and special knowledge of relativity and quantum mechanics, Stephen proclaimed the theoretical case for other universes. Such speculation remains only theory however, until verified by evidence. Proof has yet to be demonstrated – but that doesn’t mean it won’t.

Some of the stories extend to distant star systems and even multiverses. Space and time, though highly significant to us ordinary denizens of the sun’s third planet, are for physicists, merely additional dimensions of the cosmic continuum.

Each story represents an excursion into a certain realm of science. Some stories are also named after related song titles. Topics, though mostly science based, may include a dash of history, a touch of humor, and a special dimension of the imagination. Sci-fi themes are familiar to readers of this genre – space, time, future, – etc. I’ve also included Author’s Notes to help relate story line to title; not always obvious.

Science fiction may conjure up notions of monsters or invaders from outer space. Not so much here. These writings are more akin to speculative fantasy, exploring the limits of what’s known and unknown.

This book is a partly modified and consolidated trilogy from three previously published titles: Beyond the Benign, Aside from Infinity, and Across the Cosmos.

The trilogy makes accessible 36 stories in one printing. Some stories have been partially rewritten or amplified a bit to add clarity and interest, and a few new stories are included as replacements.

These tales are primarily for entertainment, but with added speculation on topics currently being explored in the scientific world.

Not all story subjects would pass the test of being truly scientific, but who knows what may yet develop in the future realm of human endeavor?

Topics include: extra-terrestrials, space travel, time warps, dark matter, black holes, parallel universes, galactic comets, climate change, human mystics, quantum entanglement, stem cell therapy, genetic manipulation, near-death experience, pre-mortal existence, acquired savant syndrome, Bigfoot sightings, biological aging, artificial intelligence, android robotics, reincarnation, volcanic geology, American Indian spiritual wisdom, and immortality.

If the selections provide amusement or perhaps inspire thinking and further reading on certain topics, they will have accomplished a purpose. The stories take a relatively light-hearted look at the mysteries science can only partly answer today, but not to imply that such issues are trivial.

One could easily imagine that research pioneers might one day solve some of the great scientific questions of our time – possibly generating improvements to the human condition for the future of planet earth and beyond.

Contents

A Preface

Song Title Credits

PART I     Yesterday

1.     Let it Be – Student receives answers from deceased parent

2.     Tumbling Tumbleweeds – Anasazi Indian draws upon Kachina power

3.     Dollars and Pesos – American ex-pat in Mexico acquires mysterious wealth

4.     Mystery Island – Ghostly visitor imparts spiritual wisdom to a train driver

5.     Desert Pete – Hale Bopp Comet is recalled by Arizona ranch couple

6.     Cielito Lindo – Pancho Villa’s grandson speaks of reincarnation

7.     Bombs Are Us – Lab worker encounters unexploded ordinance

8.     Yesterday Once More – Time travelers visit Los Angeles in the 1960’s

9.     Invincible Indian – Crazy Horse survives Custer battle with his medicine kit

10.   Pancho and Lefty – New Mexico friends do annual Roswell pilgrimage

11.   Hound Dog – Eleven-year old boy and his dog meet Big Foot

12.   True Grit – Cochise relies upon spirit animals for leadership skills

PART II    Today

13.   Happy Trails – Pilot has a near death experience after mountain crash

14.   The Sound of Silence – Dark Matter is explored by physicists from India

15.   Crazy – Acquired savant syndrome follows a swimming pool accident

16.   Wild Blue Yonder – Air Force error releases nuclear missile

17.   Geysers And Geezers – Volcanic caldera activated under Yellowstone Park

18.   Don’t Know Why – California beach hippy versus multiple universes

19.   Swinging On A Star – Extraterrestrials in Los Angeles and Halley’s Comet

20.   Is That All There Is – LA padre discovers a mystic-in-the-making

21.   Both Sides Now – Quantum entanglement crosses the Mexican border

22.   Greyhound Bus Terminal – Cosmic consciousness impacts life of a student

23.   Funny How Time Slips Away – Parallel universe is viewed from Korea

24.   When You Wish Upon A Star – Anti-aging formula found in cell culture

PART III   Tomorrow

25.   Starry, Starry Night – Three Americans abducted to a distant star system

26.   Stardust – Hawaiian astronaut stranded on distant planet

27.   Baby It’s Cold Outside – Climate change confronted by air travelers

28.   You Don’t Know Me – Humanoid robot displays artificial intelligence

29.   Clones, Gnomes and Genomes – Stem cell therapy poses unusual questions

30.   Easy To Remember – Info technology as therapy for Alzheimer’s

31.   Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – Global warming impacts coastal areas

32.   Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Genetic tinkering with human DNA

33.   Wand’rin Star – Covid-19 leads to a new bizarre pandemic

34.   Proxima Centauri – Biologist is recruited to a neighboring galaxy

35.   Over The Rainbow – A recently departed reports on afterlife

36.   That’s Amore – Astronomers prepare for comet collision with Earth

Note: Stories in quotes are titled after songs. See also: Song Title Credits.

Song Title Credits

Let it Be. singers: The Beatles; writers: Paul McCartney & John Lennon; 1970.

Tumbling Tumbleweeds. singers: Sons of the Pioneers; writer: Bob Nolan; 1934.

Desert Pete. singers: Kingston Trio; writer: Billy Edd Wheeler; 1963.

Cielito Lindo. singer: Anacani; writer: Quirino Mendoza Cortés; 1982.

Yesterday Once More. singer: Karen Carpenter; writers: Richard Carpenter & John Bettis; 1973.

Pancho and Lefty. singers: Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson; writer: Townes van Zandt; 1972.

Hound Dog. singer: Elvis Presley; writers: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller; 1956.

True Grit. singer: Glen Campbell; writers: Don Black & Elmer Bernstein; 1969.

Happy Trails to You. singers: Roy Rogers & Dale Evans; writer: Dale Evans; 1952.

Sound of Silence. Singers: Simon & Garfunkel; writer: Paul Simon; 1964.

Crazy. singer: Patsy Cline; writer: Willie Nelson; 1961.

Wild Blue Yonder. U.S.Air Force song; writer: Robert Crawford; 1947.

Don’t Know Why. singer: Norah Jones; writer: Jesse Harris; 2002.

Swinging on a Star. singers: Lennon Sisters; writers: Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke; 1944.

Is That All There Is. singer: Peggy Lee; writers: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller; 1969.

Both Sides Now. singer: Joni Mitchell; writer: Joni Mitchell; 1966.

Funny How Time Slips Away. singer: Willie Nelson; writer: Willie Nelson; 1961.

When You Wish Upon a Star. singer: Cliff Edwards; (‘Jiminy Cricket’ in the Walt Disney movie: Pinocchio); writers: Leigh Harline and Ned Washington; 1940.

Starry, Starry Night. singer: Don McLean; writer: Don McLean; 1971.

Stardust. singer: Willie Nelson; writer: Hoagy Carmichael; 1927.

Baby It’s Cold Outside. singer: Zooey Deschanel; writer: Frank Loesser; 1944.

You Don’t Know Me. singer: Mickey Gilley; writer: Cindy Walker; 1956.

Easy to Remember. singers: Lennon Sisters; writers: Richard Rogers & Lorenz Hart; 1935.

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. singer: Ella Fitzgerald; writers: Duke Ellington and Bob Russell; 1940.

Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue. singer: Crystal Gayle; writer: Richard Leigh; 1977.

Wand’rin Star. singer: Lee Marvin; writers: Alan J. Lerner & Frederick Loewe; 1951. (movie version - 1969).

Over the Rainbow. singer: Judy Garland; writers: Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg; 1939.

That’s Amore. singer: Dean Martin; writers: Harry Warren & Jack Brooks; 1953.

Part I

Yesterday

1

Let It Be

A sci-fi short story by: J. T. Ryan

Scene: Paul Wilson recalls the boarding house where he lived in West LA during his first semester at the university. It’s the early 1960’s when this motley crew of would-be scholars shared a white stucco, bungalow-style house, about a mile from campus. Six fellow student/boarders have convened around a large wooden dining table to talk of – shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings, as proclaimed by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking Glass.

Cast of characters:

Mike Boylan, from Philadelphia, a chain-smoking, intense fellow on a Navy scholarship for nautical engineering. His ample frame and ruddy complexion reflected lingering remnants of adolescent acne and an overfed life style.

Paul Wilson, an undergrad also, but in biology, was boarding here only until his folks moved up to LA from San Diego. At seventeen, he looked more like a skinny high school student than his more mature college cohorts.

Phil Taylor, business major from Florida, also worked part-time at a nearby car wash. Phil was reputed to ‘borrow’ unattended items - tobacco, change, lighters, etc. He appeared to have a confidence that fit his subtropical clothing, sunglasses, and slicked back hairstyle.

Todd Stewart, twenty-six, Brooklyn bred, and recently out of the Air Force, looked to be more motivated than his house mates. Todd was a bit cynical though, perhaps due to his earlier years in the ‘Big Apple.’ Lean, tense, and a bit shorter than average, Todd generally took the view that no one could be up to any good.

Mel Shapiro, grad student in electrical engineering, completed his bachelor’s degree at Stanford. Mel generally impressed others with an elitist attitude, in spite of his shuffling around in old Levis and worn-out flannel shirts.

Ramon Ramirez, Army vet with a family in Santa Barbara, resided at the boarding house only on weekdays, to be near his political science classes. Ramon’s two hundred plus pounds would indicate that his hectic commute fed a hefty appetite.

Mrs. Black, a stocky Midwestern woman, owned the boarding house but lived elsewhere.

Her husband Earl, a retired shop teacher, also preferred his backyard man cave. There he mostly read Louis L’Amour paperbacks, but also came in to the house each AM to cook up eggs, toast, and coffee for the boarders.

Hey Mike, what’s this I hear about you and some ghost business? inquired Todd in his usual confrontational manner.

Yeah Todd, like you would understand what that’s all about, Replied Navy candidate Mike.

Hey wait, though, intervened quasi-serious, deal-maker Phil, let’s hear him out. Mike may have something worthwhile to tell us.

That’s right, señor, added academic Ramon. "I’ve heard that Mike actually communicates with the deceased! In our culture we have Dia de los Muertos, when we set aside a day to confer with those who have passed before us. You folks call it Halloween."

What a bunch of bullshit! exclaimed skeptical Mel. I had my fill of such garbage as a child and that’s why I’m a pragmatic atheist.

So – where does that leave you – Mel? asked Paul Wilson.

Only with what’s known and proven, answered engineer Mel. "The rest is just so much folklore and fairy tales. People believe a lot of nonsense because they need to. It’s merely a crutch to get them through life!"

Spoken as a true man of faith, Ramon uttered sarcastically.

How then, Mel, do you explain our existence as human beings and this massive universe? Engineer Mel is quizzed by Mike.

Phil, the hard-nosed economist, pipes in again, "Maybe you don’t need to explain it, Mike. It just is, and always has been."

Todd responds to the Florida guy, "Phil, if you knew anything about geology or astronomy, you’d know that’s not true!"

The universe is continuously changing. If you were around here a million years ago, you wouldn’t even know this place.

Phil challenges the conversational drift. "What does that have to do with Mike talking to his deceased old man – I mean his dad?"

Not a damn thing! answered history buff Ramon. So – come on Mike – what the hell is this all about anyway?

Okay, here’s what I’ll tell you unbelievers, Mike relented. My dad died about six months before I came over here. He was rushed into surgery after a heart attack, but never revived. He was only fifty-two years old. I blame the damn doctors!"

Mike continued his revelation. "During these last couple months I’ve had some very vivid dreams that seemed to be more than just ordinary dreams. I’ve had conversations with my late father, and the memory of his messages to me remained clear even after I woke up!"

So then – you’re just having a vivid dream, huh Mike? said Ramon.

"No – it’s more than that. It almost resembles a visitation of a sort. It’s kind of weird though, because these visions of my departed dad have answered questions that I’ve thought about, but never asked anyone."

What kind of questions? – asked curious Paul Wilson.

"Well, for example, I’ve wondered to myself if there really is an afterlife? Mike continued, I don’t ever remember asking anyone that question, but – in one of my father’s visions – he told me that there is a state of being on the other side, though he didn’t use the word afterlife."

"I asked my dad what he meant by state of being, but – I didn’t get an answer. He only said that I should just – ‘let it be.’ ’’

"Holy caramba, man, exclaimed Ramon, you’re getting answers directly from the horse’s mouth, so to speak!"

Maybe you’re just answering yourself, Mike, remarked Air Force veteran Todd Stewart.

"That occurred to me too, Todd, but my dad’s answers don’t sound at all like me."

Like what? asked Phil, the resident hustler.

"Well – like one time, my dad – also named Michael, was telling me about trends he’s observed in peoples’ lives. He said that it’s very rare to live the life you choose or thought you chose. Usually, as in the often quoted words of poet Robert Burns, ‘the best laid plans of mice and men go oft awry.’"

So – what do you make of that? queried Paul Wilson.

I take it to mean that maybe I’m not cut out to be a Navy Officer and spend the next twenty years of my life fixing boats, said Mike.

I hear that, said former Air Force troop Todd Stewart, those damn ships tend to sink after the slightest crunch into their hull!

That’s a roger, chimed in former Army GI, Ramon, you’re just a sitting duck out there on the ocean waiting to get sunk by a torpedo or bombed into the depths by enemy aircraft.

Hah! Talk about brain washing – you military folks have all been programmed by a giant propaganda machine, added Stanford grad Mel.

Well – no, Mike countered. That’s not what I meant for the interpretation of this visitation. I think what my dad was saying was simply that our free will has its limitations.

He likened it to how a person might plan for a trip, but in retrospect, it’s more like the trip takes him!

So – Mike, Ramon summarized, I don’t know if anything you’ve said so far is that profound. I mean – is that all there is to your revelations?

Yeah, well, to me these communications are meaningful, responded Philly city Mike. "I really had doubts about a so-called afterlife, and yet my dad indicated that there is something out there after this one! He also implied that our sense of self-determination is mostly an illusion."

Well – you know Mike, instructed academic historian Ramon Ramirez, most religions around the world have some kind of life extension or soul continuity concept built into them, be it reincarnation or the old heaven and hell alternatives.

Are you guys ready for the third secret? asked Eastern Pa. spirit mediator, Mike.

Go ahead. Hit us! exclaimed fast-deal Phil. I’ll just fasten my seat belt, take a long puff on my pipe, and be ready for anything!

The group chuckled at Phil’s dramatic satire.

Okay guys – here ya go. My dad said that at the end of life you realize that much of what you were striving for was all for naught.

I knew that! Said slide rule Mel with a grinch-like grimace.

What he actually told me though, Mike clarified, was that most guys spend their entire life trying to acquire bigger toys, higher status, and greater wealth. In the final analysis, however, what really matters are the people in your life – family, friends, and associates.

And, by the way, Mike continued, "I’m not the only one who’s had visitations like this from deceased relatives and such. Some famous people have also reported similar experiences …"

Hey – have an idea, Phil interrupted. "Let’s go over to Ship’s coffee shop for a cup of java and a doughnut!"

Not me man, I’ve heard enough bullshit already, said grad student Mel as he sauntered back to his room.

Count me out too, said Ramon. "I’ve got mucho reading to do."

Likewise, said Todd. It’s time for me to hit the books.

So – that just leaves the three of us – huh, Phil observed – Mike, Paul, and myself."

Yep, that’s right, Phil – just us old coffee dogs, replied Mike. By the way Phil, how is it that you came over here from Florida?

Well okay, I’ll tell ya, Mike. I planned to be the biggest yacht broker in Florida. Then a hurricane hit and did serious damage to many of the boats in my marina. The yacht owners sued me for poor harbor maintenance and won the suit. I lost my wife, family, friends, money, and property trying to pay off judgements!

Wow – what then Phil? asked Paul.

I changed my name and moved to California. Now I’m interested in auto sales.

Any problem getting re-established over here? asked Mike.

Yeah – the Florida bankruptcy thing continued to haunt me, and folks are still apprehensive about my past jail time, replied Phil.

So – you’re no longer interested in being the yacht king? asked Mike.

"I don’t care if I ever see another (bleep-bleep) boat!" replied Phil.

By the way, Mike, can you loan me a ten spot? Phil inquired. I have some big bucks coming my way soon from a Florida auto crash that was not my fault! As soon as the check arrives I’ll pay you back."

First though, Phil continued, "as soon as I get my dough, I’m gonna get me some classy new threads and invest in a serious set of wheels. Gotta keep my priorities straights, ya know!"

Author’s note: The song Let It Be was written by Paul McCartney with the Beatles group in 1970. It was a few years later than when this story took place. The title seemed especially relevant though since McCartney said in one account that he wrote the song the morning after a vivid dream visit from his deceased ‘Mother Mary.’ He reportedly woke up abruptly, then went directly to his piano and expanded the simple message, ‘Let it be,’ into a hit song.

2

Tumbling Tumbleweeds

A sci-fi short story by: J. T. Ryan

Author’s note: Tumbling Tumbleweeds is one of the best known songs from the Sons of the Pioneers. Written by Bob Nolan in 1934, the tune is a classic of fine harmony and soothing melodies created by Roy Rogers’ original music group. Nolan is considered one of the best western