The Visitors – Version 2

By Andrew Cahill-Lloyd

Two time-travelling aliens, Bjorn and Zorn, witness the destruction of the Earth in 2052. They believe the Earth has been destroyed by religious zealots. Their investigation reveals one of their own is behind it. The intended goal was to hide the Earth from the universe. With Tasmania up for grabs, the chess game begins. They travel in time to collect a little band of misfits, to help them save humanity from its religious wars.

The laid back Ptoni the Pteranodon, the ladylike Florence the Jersey Cow, the excitable Penelope the Adelie Penguin, and the Chicken Nugget obsessed Dax the Maine Coon Cat, set off on an adventure that will see them cross the galaxy and back again.

Their adventure is filled with drama, fun and chaos. The local drive-thru will never be the same again, and neither will Florence’s derriere. Alien abduction can be fun!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398490345

Andrew Cahill-Lloyd

Andrew spent ten years as a serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force. He is a grandfather to 10 children: 9 girls and 1 boy. He has a keen interest in marine life and the environment. Andrew is a qualified Veterinary Nurse and a champion for animal rights. He encourages people to adopt from shelters and rescue groups. Dax, the Maine Coon cat, was a rescue adoption.

Book preview

About the Author

Andrew Cahill-Lloyd is an Aussie lyricist, a script writer, and an author. He spent 10 years as a serving member in the RAAF, from 1981 to 1992.

He has a keen interest in marine life and enjoys his marine fish tank.

Andrew is a qualified veterinary nurse, and he is also a champion for animal rights and encourages people to adopt from animal shelters. Dax The Maine Coon Cat was adopted from an animal shelter. Andrew is a grandfather to nine girls and a boy.

Dedication

For Jayd, Hannah, Tayla, Drew, Makaila, Aleisha, Jordyn, Ava,

Tanisha, and Leo.

Copyright Information ©

Andrew Cahill-Lloyd 2022

The right of Andrew Cahill-Lloyd to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398490338 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398490345 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgements

In the loving memory of Dax, The Maine Coon Cat, our special boy.

Chapter 1

2052

The year is 2052, and two aliens, a bright green dog called Bjorn, and a bright purple cat called Zorn, sit in their spaceship orbiting and monitoring planet Earth. They watch many news reports about an ongoing war on a large view screen. As they watch the reports, one grabs their attention. The news reporter says, The warring religious factions have nuclear weapons, and concern is growing that they may use them to end the centuries of fighting.

This planet is full of idiots, says Bjorn in disgust.

Only idiots could seriously think of killing the entire population to make a point, says Zorn.

This whole ‘my God is bigger than your God’ attitude is just pathetic, adds Bjorn.

I am so glad we got over religion, millennia ago, says Zorn with relief in his voice.

They laugh together. Suddenly, without warning, the Earth explodes.

Get us outta here! screams Bjorn.

On it, says Zorn in his usual calm way.

The spaceship warps into outer space, narrowly avoiding the debris.

Chapter 2

Lukas

The main computer bursts into life.

Incoming Communique from General Flax.

A bright yellow dog, General Flax, appears on the screen. BJ and Zee, we’ve had an interesting request from the Planet Lukas. They are aware the Earth has been destroyed.

You’d think sound travels faster than the speed of light. Good grief, says Bjorn.

The general continues, They have time travel technology available. They wish to discuss an exchange.

We could go back to Earth and prevent the explosion, observes Bjorn.

Zorn starts work on his console. Co-ordinates?

On your screen, says Flax.

Let’s do this. Give the Earth a bit of good old-fashioned CPR, says Bjorn.

Zorn takes the Z3 to warp, heading for Lukas. They arrive to find a dry, desolate planet with no signs of life.

Bjorn scoffs. What is this? Are we at the right co-ordinates?

Be nice, says Zorn.

The main computer bursts into life. Message from the surface.

They see a bright red humanoid on the screen. I am Chief medical Practitioner Gustav. Prepare for biological transfer.

They teleport Bjorn and Zorn to a beautiful underground city. A huge civilisation that continues as far as the eye can see. The city is as massive as it is beautiful. Vibrant colours abound.

They shake hands with Gustav.

I’ll make this simple. I am studying shape shifting abilities and I have almost perfected it.

How much matrix fluid do you require? asks Zorn.

You understand me, says Gustav.

Shape shifting for time travel? asks Bjorn.

Correct. I require two litres from both of you, says Gustav.

That is the limit we can safely give you without compromising our bodies, says Zorn.

Gustav nods. Acceptable.

The door opens, and another Lukan enters the room, carrying two large metallic jugs. Bjorn and Zorn allow their hands to melt into the jugs, filling them with bodily fluids. Their matrix fluid.

As they finish, Gustav speaks again, We have installed time travel on your vessel. Prepare for biological transfer.

They return Bjorn and Zorn to the bridge of the Z3. A message awaits. Gustav is on the screen. The main console has new features. All you have to do is key in the year and co-ordinates and you’re on your way. If you enter year, only you will remain stationary. Thank you for your help. Enjoy bringing the Earth back from the dead. The signal is gone.

Talk about wham bam, thank you ma’am, says Bjorn.

Barely took in any of it in, says Zorn.

I feel violated, says Bjorn.

I wouldn’t go that far. Zorn laughs.

Good job thinking on your feet. Four litres is not enough to start life.

I would not leave them with the ability to create an Aeonite child. says Zorn.

Bjorn pauses, thinking. O.K Back to Earth. Let’s have a look at 2052.

Zorn utters his usual response. On it

Zorn takes the Z3 to warp heading for the Earth.

Bjorn wonders, What happens if you change the date to 2035?

Done, says Zorn.

The Z3 travels in time to 2035.

Do you feel that? says Bjorn, sounding very concerned.

Feel what?

Bjorn lets out a loud roaring fart. Nothing.

Do you realise that fart just time travelled 17 years? Zorn laughs.

Bjorn looks puzzled. What?

The fart just. Doesn’t matter, says Zorn.

I get it. It just flew out of my pretend butt 17 years before it formed. He roars laughing. I’ll have to work on fake smells for my fake farts.

I doubt the kids will enjoy that, observes Zorn.

Dax and Ptoni will find it hilarious. You know Alfie will cack themself.

Crass, says Zorn.

You spoil all my fun. Zorn the party pooper.

Tough. You’re stuck with me. Zorn pokes his tongue at Bjorn.

I’m gonna ask the scientific community on Aeon if an Aeonite has ever expelled his mated symbiont.

I’ll just grow back. Zorn pokes his tongue at Bjorn again.

Don’t get sookie on me. I think it’s time we got back to 2052 if we’re gonna save the Earth, says Bjorn.

Zorn works his console. Done.

Chapter 3

Start Again?

The time period changes to 2052. They watch many news reports about an ongoing war on multiple view screens. One report grabs their attention. The reporter says, We believe one side of the conflict may have nuclear weapons, and concern is growing that they may use them to end the centuries of fighting.

This planet is full of idiots! says Bjorn.

Only idiots could seriously think of killing the entire population to make a point, says Zorn.

This whole my God is bigger than your God’ attitude is just pathetic, adds Bjorn.

I am so glad we got over religion, millennia ago, says Zorn with relief in his voice.

They laugh together.

Hang on. Didn’t we do this yesterday? says Bjorn.

Technically tomorrow, says Zorn.

They laugh together. Suddenly, without warning, the Earth explodes.

Get us outta here! screams Bjorn.

On it, says Zorn in his usual calm way.

The spaceship warps into outer space, narrowly avoiding the debris. The rumble and shakes are heard and felt across the galaxy.

Chapter 4

Josef

A small boy, Josef, is giggling. Daddy, come find me.

Bjorn calls back, I can hear you. Keep calling.

Keep calling out to Daddy, calls Zorn.

Josef responds, I’m over here, Daddy. Come find me.

A rumble is heard and a small meteor breaks into the atmosphere.

Bjorn calls out in a panic, Josef, run to Daddy, now.

What’s wrong? cries Josef.

Bjorn, even more panicked, yells, Another meteor coming in.

Josef appears from out of the bushes and is struck in the head. Josef melts into a ball of fluid. Zorn runs to Josef, reanimates him and picks the body up. Bjorn runs into the house behind them. Bjorn places his hand on Josef’s head and it glows. He attempts to reanimate Josef’s body but it won’t hold its shape. It convulses and melts. He is gone.

I can’t help him. I can’t help him, cries Bjorn, now distraught.

Zorn has tears pouring down his face. He takes Bjorn’s hand. Let him go.

They hold hands and meld together, absorbing Josef’s body. They remain as one. A pool of glowing fluid.

Chapter 5

65 Million Years Ago

Bjorn and Zorn travel 65 million years into the Earth’s past and arrive just before the comet strike that wiped out the dinosaur population. Ptoni, a Pteranodon, in what is now known as Kansas, is sitting on a large rock enjoying a big, juicy fish. Suddenly, he hears and feels a loud rumble. Looking up, he can see an asteroid hurtling towards him. All of his dinosaur friends scatter and run away in panic. Fortunately for Ptoni, the asteroid strike is hundreds of kilometres away. The impact causes a huge BANG, and the ground under his rock shakes. Ptoni, now very frightened, drops his fish and attempts to fly away. Just as he lifts off, he disappears into thin air. Ptoni re-materialises on the spaceship with Bjorn and Zorn.

Krelbo? says Bjorn to Ptoni.

Ptoni has never heard speech before. It is puzzling.

Zorn tries. Krelbo?

Ptoni continues to look puzzled. Bjorn and Zorn are shapeshifters, and change form to become pteranodons, identical to Ptoni. They squawk back and forth to Ptoni, and to each other, but Ptoni doesn’t respond. Bjorn and Zorn, pausing, look at each other, and change into human form.

I don’t understand, says Bjorn.

Maybe this creature can’t communicate in the same way that we do, suggests Zorn.

Speaking to Ptoni, Bjorn asks, What’s your name? Ptoni continues to sit still and do nothing.

Zorn, picking up a scanning device, points it at Ptoni, scanning him inside and out.

Looking down at the screen, he says, Here’s the problem. Tiny brain. No speech centres.

Easily fixed, says Bjorn.

Bjorn creates a golden ball of light out of thin air with his hands. The ball, moving under its own power, enters Ptoni’s head, and he speaks.

I am Ptoni, the pteranodon—

He stops mid-sentence, putting his wing over his mouth as if he is trying to stop the noise coming out.

What have you done to me? Why am I making these strange noises?

Ptoni passes out.

Bjorn , leaning over Ptoni, says, Well, that’s a new one.

Bjorn groans.

The ever-calm Zorn says, Just let him sleep it off.

OK, let’s get back to 2035. We can find more help there, suggests Bjorn.

On it, says Zorn. He warps the ship back to 2035.

Chapter 6

Chaos (2035)

Dax, the Maine Coon cat, is lying in the garden, enjoying the morning sun, when he vanishes. Penelope, the Adélie penguin, is enjoying a day of fun and games with her friends, in her home in Antarctica, when she suddenly disappears into thin air. Florence, the Jersey cow, is enjoying a morning of grazing on lush grass, on her farm, in Queensland, Australia, when she suddenly disappears into thin air. One by one, they re-materialise on the spaceship with Bjorn and Zorn. Bjorn and Zorn have created a special chamber for Penelope. We see her behind glass in a chamber that recreates Antarctic conditions. Before the animals realise what is happening, Bjorn and Zorn create golden balls of light which enter the heads of Dax, Penelope, and Florence.

What a clever trick. I can now tell the world who the boss is, says Dax.

Boss? asks Bjorn.

Cats are ancient beings, and should receive respect, claims Dax.

Zorn might agree with you, but I don’t. Bjorn laughs.

Zorn imitates a cat scratch. Cats rule!

Dax laughs. I think I’m going to like you.

We cats need to stick together, says Zorn.

You’re hilarious. Just between us cats, what’s the story? What’s the um? Quest? Who are you guys? asks Dax.

Zorn explains, We are aliens from the planet Aeon. When our race discovered the Earth, we began our normal action to sit back and observe. We are time travellers and can see what has come before, and what may happen in the future. We normally have a non-interference policy, but we know they will destroy the Earth in less than twenty years. The bosses on our home world of Aeon have instructed us to investigate and try to prevent the catastrophe.

I don’t understand what you think we can do to help, says Dax. Bjorn joins the conversation, For a start, you can help us with understanding humans. The rest we’ll make up as we go along.

Dax says, Trust me, trying to understand humans will make your head ache.

***

Dax is sitting on the computer console, looking down at Ptoni as he stirs.

Hard night? enquires Dax.

That ain’t half of it, replies Ptoni. "Hey, it’s