Unexpected Heroes: The Galactic Adventures Series, #1

By Brian Bowers

"Five bullets, five kills, in case you didn't notice."  He smiled and sheathed his gun.  "Not bad if i do say so myself."

"Oh great," she thought, "another egoamainac."

 

Paul Campbell was already freaked out about suddenly being transported to whatever this strange place was and being nearly killed by ferocious alien creatures.  She did not need his man she had just met, bragging about how he had saved her life.  But who was he? And where were they? And how would they get home?

 

She had no idea the two strangers were about to be arrested, nearly executed, and then called upon to be heroes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Bowers
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215901151

Book preview

Prologue

The year is 3449. The place is Obsidia Galaxy, thousands of light years from Earth. The Free Allied Interdependent Republic (FAIR) is engaged in a long and arduous war against the Rightful Universal Liberating Empire (RULE). Outer space is inhabited. Galaxies and solar systems are populated, and inter-stellar travel is common. In a devastating attack on the peaceful planet of Muglunk, the entire planet is obliterated, exploding for millions of miles in all directions. The explosion was so massive that a wave of cosmic energy ripped through space, opening several black holes, traveling light years back through time, and opening up for only milliseconds in the year 2022 on a far distant planet in the Milky Way galaxy called Earth, just long enough to suck two unsuspecting strangers back through them. Strangers to each other and to this new world, and completely unaware that they are the key to the survival of millions...

Chapter One – Starting Over

The tall man stood silent as a stone atop the small hill, with his head bowed and a very rare tear running down his cheek as he looked at the tombstone in front of him. It cast a long shadow on the grass in the early morning sun. ‘Shannon Wells, loving wife to Jake, sister of Bill, Steve & Mark, daughter of Marie and Tom. 1995-2022. Rest in peace,’ read the epitaph. He shook his head in disgust and then sighed deeply.

I failed you, Shannon, he whispered, and sighed again. Slowly, he raised his head, wiped away a single tear, and looked around the large graveyard. Stones, mortuaries, and mausoleums filled the scenery as far as he could see. The small hill he stood on sat in a corner of the graveyard, and he glanced briefly at many other stones and epitaphs nearby. Giant maple trees lined the roadway back to the front gate. The budding branches swayed violently in the early spring wind. A Robin sat on a nearby branch singing its song, as a squirrel ran past and up a nearby tree. For a moment, Jake felt at peace, surrounded by the sounds of nature. He remembered that day a few months ago when she was taken from him.  His face hardened. I’ll get them for this. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get them! Jake took out his cell phone, held it up in front of the stone, lined it up, and took a picture of the epitaph.  His serenity was broken by a voice behind him from his car radio. He whirled and hurried back toward his black Mustang on the gravel road. As he jogged down the small hill, he heard the radio again. He got to his car a few seconds later and reached in through the window, grabbing his CB radio, and called in.

Two-five-one-six, here, say again. The voice spoke back almost immediately.

Detective Wells, dispatch here. I have an address on that name you gave me.

Go, he replied, and hopped into his car. Writing down the address, he hung up his radio and turned the key in the ignition. The powerful engine roared to life, interrupting the serenity of the empty graveyard. Thin waves of smoke blew out of the dual exhaust. He took one last look out his window toward her grave then hammered the accelerator, shooting up a trail of gravel all over the grass.

I’ll find him Shannon, I’ll find him! he promised her as his car sped around the corner. Heading for the front gate, he slowed momentarily as a little old caretaker waved to him as he drove a little cart along the path toward the grave. He pointed in the back of the cart to a tombstone for Jake to read, and the big man scanned it, nodded his approval, and then sped off under the archway that read Restful Gardens Cemetery and Moratorium. As he turned onto the road, his mind raced, remembering all the facts of this case. He had been tracking this gang for months, and much more diligently now, since he believed they were responsible for Shannon’s death. It had become an obsession actually. He would bring them down, one at a time, until they were all dead, or behind bars.

I prefer the former, he said out loud, as if he was trying to justify it. This most recent lead was the address of one of the youngest gang members, and now he was headed in that direction. He kept his window down as he sped along, enjoying the morning brisk wind on his face. His long black hair waved on his shoulders and blended in with his black leather jacket. He focused his attention on the road as the shops and houses whizzed by, and he was determined to reach the address as fast as possible. He weaved in and out of early morning traffic but had a clear path as he turned here and there toward his destination.

Reaching down to the seat beside him, he rifled through some loose papers, empty pizza boxes, food wrappers and file folders and found the paper with the address and read it again: 23 Sycamore. He scanned the next street sign as he approached it, saw it was the one he wanted, and turned onto the street. He knew this part of town well and slowed his powerful car down. This was not a good area, and there was no need to draw more attention than necessary. He remembered the lecture he had just received from his Captain last week about calling for backup and how imperative it was. He tried to count how many times he had had that lecture and smiled to himself, realizing it was too many to remember. He stopped his car in front of a dilapidated house, with different colors of aluminum siding. He shut off the engine, reached inside his coat, took out his gun, checked his clip, and pushed it back into place. No one was outside when he stepped out.  He walked up the driveway and noticed a beat-up red car sitting beside the house. It didn’t even look like it would run. All the curtains were closed, and he saw no lights on. ‘Maybe they’re still sleeping,’ he thought. The brisk wind blew the branches of a small beech tree in the front yard. As he approached the stairs to the front door, he reached out to grab the rusted metal railing, and it almost fell off in his hand. He let it go and proceeded up the four stairs to the front door. He opened the screen door with a loud squeak and knocked hard on the inside door. BAM! BAM! BAM! No answer. He waited several seconds and tried to peer in through the small curtains covering a small window at the top of the door. Still no answer. BAM! BAM! BAM! If they were asleep, they would be awake now. A minute passed and then he heard someone shuffling toward the door. Through the curtains he saw the silhouette of a short, old woman, at least in her sixties, wearing a blue robe and her gray hair in curlers. She opened the curtain slowly, peered out at the chiseled face of a huge man on her doorstep, and yelled through the door in a raspy voice,

What do you want? He tried to see past her, but it was too dark inside. He flashed his badge through the window and said,

Police, ma’am, open the door. I need to speak to you. It’s urgent. The woman knew her rights, and was no stranger to police at her door, but something in this man’s eyes told her he was not leaving, and he was coming in, one way or another. Slowly, she unlatched the door and opened it slightly.

What do you want? she said quietly. I’m trying to sleep.

Good for you, he shot back. Does Jimmy Spartan live here?

No, now go away, she said, and shut the door. Before it could close fully, Jake stopped it with his shoe and pushed it open with his hand.

Listen, ma’am, I know Jimmy lives here and I need to speak with him.  Just then he heard an engine sputter to life and saw the red car in his peripheral vision zoom by. He whirled and saw the car race out of the driveway and screech loudly as it turned onto the road and sped away east. He left the woman standing at the door, hurtled the railing in one leap, raced down the driveway, back to his car, and took off after the thug.

You think you’re getting away from me kid, think again! he said to himself as he screeched his car around and raced after him. He flicked on his flashing lights to get anyone out of the way and hammered the accelerator. The old, beat-up car was no match for his souped-up Mustang, and within seconds he was close behind it. He could see the driver well enough to recognize Jimmy and pulled up right behind, and waved Jimmy to pull over. The young adult was too busy bobbing and weaving frantically to notice. He was trying to stay ahead of the cop and was desperate to get away. Jake took out his gun and put it in his left hand and stuck his arm out of the window, preparing to shoot a tire. Then he saw a young woman on the sidewalk with a stroller, and children playing in the yard of a nearby home. He knew a car skidding out of control from a flat tire could be dangerous, especially to bystanders.  He knew that wasn’t an option until they were out of this residential area. So, he continued to follow the car, and checked his ego long enough to realize now was a good time for backup to get this kid to pull over. He wanted to question him after all, not kill him. At least not yet. Grabbing his radio, he gave some instructions to the dispatch, gave his location and requested backup. Within minutes, there were three cruisers roaring along behind them. He grabbed his radio again and instructed them to block off certain streets to force this kid a certain way. Jake knew where he would make him go. The officers obeyed and raced ahead, blocking off intersections just in time as Jimmy tried to make a few turns and could not. There was one turn left, and Jake smiled as Jimmy took the bait and whirled around the corner. A minute or so later, he whirled around another corner, and Jimmy suddenly screeched his car to a skidding halt when he saw it was a dead end. As soon as his car stopped, he jumped out and raced across the field, heading for the woods, figuring he could lose the cop in there.  Stopping his own car behind the boy’s, Jake leaped out of his car and took off sprinting. He took out his gun this time and fired a warning shot into the air.

Freeze, Jimmy! he yelled, but it had no effect. Jake noticed a young girl playing with her cat in the backyard of a nearby house on the edge of the field. But so did Jimmy. He drew a small gun out of his trousers and ran towards her. Hey, little girl, get inside! Jake yelled at her. She couldn’t have been over ten years old, and she stood frozen and didn’t react. Jake thought about shooting Jimmy, but the young man was a dozen or so yards from the girl and if Jake shot him, he could endanger the girl’s life if Jimmy’s gun went off on the way down. He couldn’t risk it. Jake sprinted toward the girl as fast as he could. Jimmy got there first and grabbed the child around the neck and used her as a partial shield.

I’ll kill her Pig! Drop your gun right now or I’ll kill her! Jimmy started pulling her toward the woods with his gun to her head. She was crying and calling for her mother. ‘This situation just went from bad to worse,’ Jake thought.

Ok, ok Jimmy relax. Don’t hurt her! Jake dropped his gun into the dewy grass. To the girl, he said, It’s ok sweetheart, I’m a police officer and I will take care of you. You’ll be fine. Don’t worry. But he knew his words sounded hollow, and they had no effect on her, as she just kept crying. Jimmy pointed the gun back and forth between Jake and the girl and dragged her closer to the woods with his arm around her neck.  You don’t want to do this, Jimmy. I just want to talk to you, ask you some questions. You don’t want kidnapping or assault on your rap sheet. That’s a long prison sentence. Let her go. You’ve got the gun. Let her go and we’ll talk. He kept inching his way closer to Jimmy, slowly but surely, as his training had taught him.

Stop right there, pig! Jimmy shouted back. That’s far enough. One more step and she dies. Jake knew he was serious. On Jimmy’s arm, just visible under the edge of his T-shirt sleeve, he saw the tattoo of a knife crossed by a gun and recognized the familiar sign of the Sons of Evil gang. Jimmy was sixteen years old, and already had seen and dished out more violence and suffering than most people encountered in their lifetime. Jimmy wiped his brow with his forearm. Jake saw the sweat dripping from his forehead and realized how nervous and scared the teen was. Jimmy was only wearing a T-shirt, a pair of track pants and running shoes and it was a cool morning with a brisk wind, so he should be cold, if anything.

‘An advantage perhaps,’ Jake thought, though he would not underestimate this youth, as he could not risk this little girl’s life. Finally, he spoke, raising his hands in the air. Ok, ok, I’m stopping Jimmy. I’ll stay here, let her go. And with that, Jake stopped and waited for the boy’s next move. Jimmy looked behind him and saw he was only fifty feet from the woods and did not want to have to drag a screaming and crying little brat around with him if he was going to escape. He hit her on the head with his gun and threw her to the ground. Jimmy pointed his gun at Jake and shot him directly in the chest, knocking the big man down, and then turned and dashed for the woods. Jake fell back with a thud on the morning grass and winced from the pain of the shot. It hurt more than it should have, and it took him a few seconds to get his strength back and stand up. He took off his leather jacket and quickly removed his bulletproof vest. He saw a hole in his shirt underneath, but luckily, the bullet just left a small bruise on his skin. The girl started crying again, and Jake immediately forgot his own plight. He threw his vest down and ran to the girl, kneeling and gently examining her head. He saw a bump on the girl’s head but there was no blood, and it didn’t look like serious damage, but he was no doctor. The girl’s mother was calling, and he looked up to see a woman in her mid-thirties running toward them. She arrived, kneeled, and grabbed her daughter from Jake and hugged her and began crying.

I’m a cop, ma’am. I think she’ll be ok, he said. Just then he turned as he heard sirens. His fellow officers who had been providing the roadblocks finally showed up. As they jumped out and ran toward Jake, he pointed at them. They’ll help you. I’ve gotta get that kid, he told the woman.

Thank you, she replied, tears running down her face and looked in the direction of the oncoming officers. He raced back to grab his coat and gun from the moist grass, ignored his vest and shouted some instructions at the officers.

The perp hit this girl in the head with his gun! She needs medical attention! He turned and raced into the woods, more determined than ever now to bring Jimmy in. Jake heard the officers call for an ambulance on their radios as they ran toward the woman and her daughter and was relieved he had called for backup this time. Jimmy had a good head start now as he raced through the woods, not really knowing where he was going. There was a walking path he ran down, and every so often he looked over his shoulder for the detective. His short brown hair was caked in sweat, as was his goatee, and he was scared and tired, but he knew he had to get away, and could not stop running. Jake bolted into the woods just a minute behind and nodded his head a couple of times to himself at his foresight. He had brought Jimmy here on purpose, knowing that if he fled into these woods, Jake would catch him easily. The big man grew up close to here and knew these woods extremely well, and guessed correctly at the path Jimmy ran down and chose another path nearby and raced down it. He was hidden by enough tree cover that Jimmy wouldn’t be able to see him. He raced along, listening, and looking ahead for a sign. Meanwhile, Jimmy had no idea what Jake was doing and kept looking behind him. He wasn’t familiar with these surroundings, so that made him nervous as well, and he stumbled on roots or uneven ground several times, and that allowed Jake to close the gap significantly. Several minutes passed, and Jimmy was growing tired. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath, trying to be quiet as he panted heavily. It turned out to be a good idea. As it was still early morning, the forest was pretty quiet and there were no other people around, just some birds singing in the trees. He heard running, or so he thought, several yards back and a short way to his left. He thought it must be Jake, and he hid in a nearby bush, desperate to catch his breath and not be seen. He was right and several seconds later, Jake emerged from another trail onto this one just a short way down the path. Jimmy was hoping the detective would be as tired as he was, but the big man was breathing normally, and didn’t look winded at all. Jake looked around with his gun out and listened. He looked for footprints on the soft ground. Jimmy couldn’t see him with the thick foliage of the bush he was hiding in, but figured by the sound it must be the cop and knew it would only be a matter of time before he was discovered. Behind him, he saw a small path through the bushes, and didn’t know where it went, but it looked good, so he made his way down the path, away from his pursuer. Several seconds later, Jake found his footprints, saw where they ended, and guessed at Jimmy’s direction. He raced after the boy once again.

The path was short and went up a small hill and onto a railroad track. Bushes surrounded the track and pivoted away from the woods, so Jimmy figured it would be a good place to hide. He ran onto the tracks and around the corner. Jake instinctively guessed right again and raced up the hill and onto the tracks after him. Jimmy was only yards ahead and sprinted down the track. After a few more yards, the incline on the side of the tracks became very steep, and the bushes ended, and the hill down below got much bigger. Jimmy realized it was not a good area to be. He heard Jake behind him and knew he couldn’t go back. And on either side of the track now, it was at least a thirty-foot drop to the ground below, almost straight down. Jumping was not a good idea. So, he forged ahead, up the track, and hopefully soon would find a place to hide. Jake came barreling around the corner and saw Jimmy was only fifty feet ahead. He pointed his gun and ordered, Freeze Jimmy, it’s over, you’ve got nowhere to go! Drop your gun and put your hands on your head. Jake kept walking toward him as he spoke. Jimmy frantically spun around to face the detective, looking from side to side for an escape route but realized there wasn’t one. He held his gun at his side and didn’t dare raise it for fear of being shot. His mind raced with what to do since surrender was not an option in his gang.  Matters suddenly got much worse because Jimmy heard a train coming from up the track behind him. He whirled to see it speeding at him and realized he had only seconds to get off the track before it was upon him. He looked at Jake, looked at the train, looked at the ground down the embankment, and jumped. Jake guessed at his decision and raced toward him, hoping to catch him before he did. But it was too late. Jimmy launched himself off the track, into the air, and fell at least thirty feet onto the grass. Jake heard at least one bone break as Jimmy hit the ground hard and cried out in pain. Suddenly, he realized his own peril. He was in the same situation. The train was very close, and he had run up to Jimmy oblivious to his own safety, and now was facing the same decision – jump or get hit by the train. The train conductor blew his whistle loudly. Jake knew he had no choice. He sheathed his gun and jumped just in time as the train whizzed past and felt the rush of the breeze on his back as he fell. He saw Jimmy writhing in pain on the ground and braced for his own impact, fully expecting a better landing. Just as he was about to hit the ground, in an instant, there was a sheet of pure blackness below him. Jake fell into it, and everything went black.

Chapter Two – A New Beginning

Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Paula said, pointing to the periodic table elements on the board and pausing for the class to continue. As she pointed to the next symbol, they said in unison,

Boron. She moved her pointer to the next one.  Carbon, they continued, and she went on for a few more. After she was satisfied, she put the pointer down and addressed the class.

Well done, everyone. Now your goal is to memorize the first twenty elements for next week’s quiz. We’re going to get into what each is for and what each does, and I have lots of fun experiments planned, but one step at a time. It’s going to be a fun and educational class for you, I hope.

Do we get to blow things up? one of the boys in the back asked, and the class chuckled.

Well, Todd, I certainly will teach you to blow things up, but I really hope you will NOT blow things up, and she stared at him and raised her eyebrows.

Yes ma’am, he replied.

Good, she said. Now class, let’s look at the diagram on page 5. She walked back to her desk and opened her textbook.

BANG! BANG! and suddenly everyone jumped to their feet. She knew what that sound was. Jumping into action, she said, Class, quickly, up over here, into the corner, huddle together and crouch down! She tried to sound calm as she ushered the class toward the corner of the room. She felt nervous and uneasy and terrified but knew the risks when she took her teaching job at this high school.

Paul, Chris, Dale, Stephen, turn my desk sideways, and move that front row of desks over here, quickly! We’re going to make a barricade, She instructed some of the stronger boys in her class. Students were crying and panicking and texting frantically on their phones, as she tried to huddle them all in the corner and appear calm herself.

BANG, BANG, they heard again.

Miss Campbell, what was that?

I think it was a gun, Denise, she answered, feeling the need to be honest right now. Everyone stay down and quiet, she instructed, staying in front of the students, crouched down. Suddenly, the intercom came to life.

Students and teachers stay IN your classrooms! came the principal’s voice over the intercom. They heard running and shouting and more shooting in the hallway. She gasped out loud as her classroom door burst open.  In came a young man, dressed in black, wielding a rifle with several rounds of ammunition strapped to him, as well as other handguns. Paula didn’t recognize him, but this was only her fourth day on the job. Her instincts kicked in and she stood up, hands in the air.

Please, don’t hurt us. Put the gun down, please. It was all she could think to say in the heat of the moment. The crazed student chuckled.

Get over here! he said, pointed his gun at her and motioned her over.

Ok, ok, please don’t shoot! she pleaded, slowly walking toward him with her hands up. Her heart raced, but she knew she had to remain calm for the kids. Just then there was shouting in the hallway and the sounds of the police. The young man took a couple of steps toward Paula, his back now to the door. She was facing him and saw two officers come around the corner down the hall. She feared the worst, and just as they pointed their guns and yelled instructions to the young man to lower his, she dove to the ground. The next moments went by in a blur. The perpetrator whirled and fired at the officers, who were using the door for cover. For nearly a minute, gunshots were exchanged. Paula lay flat on the ground and moved herself out of the way, so she was facing the kids. They were pressed against the floor, holding onto each other. Nobody moved.

Ahhhhh! the deranged student cried out as one of the officers shot him in the chest. He fell to the ground with a thud just a few feet from Paula, and she gasped out loud as he crashed to the floor. The officers rushed forward and apprehended him before he could hurt anyone. Moments later, more officers were on the scene as they tended to the youth. Another officer helped Paula up and led her toward the kids.

You all ok? he asked. Paula scanned them all and nodded.

Y-Yes, we’re not hurt, she replied. Commotion ensued, and soon there were school staff, police, counselors, and teachers on the scene. Everyone was ok physically. Fortunately, none of her students had been shot, but she found out a teacher had been shot in another room. School was officially closed until further notice and an hour later Paula finished seeing that her students getting the help they needed. She got in her car and could barely put the key into the ignition, her hands were shaking so badly. Her stomach was still in knots, and she regretted her decision to come to this inner-city school to teach. She was terrified of what might have happened. The young teacher took several deep breaths to calm down and somehow managed to compose herself enough to drive home. Hours later, she found herself sitting on her couch, staring at the wall, unable to move. She jumped, startled, as her phone rang beside her. She looked down and saw on the display it was her best friend, Michelle. Paula looked away and let it go to voice mail. Michelle called again. The young teacher sat there like a statue, unable to bring herself to answer the phone. Not long later, there was a loud knock on her front door, and a woman calling her name. She recognized her friend’s voice, barely audible as it was, and still didn’t move. A few more rounds of hard knocking and finally she managed to drag herself off the couch and make her way to the door.

Oh my God girl, are you ok? Michelle asked as she rushed in and hugged her tightly. I heard on the news there was a shooting at your school and when I called, they said everyone went home early and they wouldn’t tell me anything. Are you ok? Paula shook her head and tears flowed down her face as she embraced her friend and wouldn’t let go. Michelle led her back to the couch, and Paula filled her in on everything that had happened.

I just can’t get that image of the gun pointed at me out of my head, she said, sobbing. He could’ve killed me, Michelle!

Yes, but he didn’t, and you’re ok. I’m so sorry that happened to you. But it sounds like you saved all your students. You’re a hero! she said. They talked for quite some time, with Paula feeling somewhat better after confiding in her friend about how terrified she was and how she feared for her life and the lives of her students.

So how long is your school closed for? Michelle asked, as she handed Paula a cup of tea.

Until further notice. Paula took a sip. There’s going to be an investigation and all the kids will need counseling. It’s a big mess.  Michelle stood up, smiled, and reached her hand out for Paula to take hers. Paula looked at her quizzically as she took her hand and stood up.

You know what you need right now? Michelle said. You need to take your mind off this ordeal and have some fun. Opportunity is knocking, my dear. You’re going to come with us to Chris’s cottage. You have the chance now, and this will be good for you, she said. She immediately saw a look of disapproval on Paula’s face and practically dragged Paula upstairs to her bedroom. Michelle went into her friend’s closet, took out her suitcase, placed it on the bed, and opened it up.

Michelle, no. I appreciate the thought, I do, but I’m not ready for this, Paula protested.

Are you going to sit on the couch all week? You need this, babe, and it will be good for you. You just had a traumatic ordeal, and you’re ok now, but you need to take your mind off it. Trust me. She sounded convincing and proceeded to open drawers and pack her friend’s clothes.

Stop! Stop! Ok, ok, ok, Paula smiled slightly, annoyed with Michelle about her tactics, but knew she meant well. She took Michelle’s queue and took over the clothes gathering.

Ok, I’ll come. Michelle, you’re very persistent! And they both laughed. It wasn’t long until Paula was nearly packed and couldn’t believe she had agreed to this trip. Michelle came out of her friend’s walk-in closet holding a purple bikini in the air.

This is new, she said. And I like it. Is this part of the new, bolder, putting yourself out there, Paula? she asked, smiling.

Paula shrugged.

Uh, something like that, I guess. I bought it on a whim. But I’m not wearing that at the cottage, she added and walked over to her friend to take it from her and put it away. But instead, Michelle walked to the suitcase and put it in. She turned and took Paula’s hands.

You are. You can. And you will. You’re beautiful, and super sexy. Richard has been gone for a few months. Don’t let him drag you down anymore. There are going to be lots of single guys at Chris’s cottage and maybe you won’t meet one but promise me you’ll wear this. I’ll be wearing mine and you’ll feel bold and sexy.  Paula sighed.

You’re incorrigible, she said to Michelle. Fine, I’ll wear it, but I’m going to be nervous the whole time. Michelle hugged her and they finished packing, talked a little more and headed downstairs.

Ok, I’m going home to finish packing. We’re coming by to pick you up at 8:00 a.m. You’re going to have a great time! Michelle hugged Paula and then waved goodbye as she left.  That night Paula had terrible nightmares about the incident. Over and over again, scenario after scenario played in her head and in most of them, she ended up shot by the gunman. She woke up with a start at her alarm and headed into the shower. She contemplated not going on this trip after all but realized that she did not want to think about her terrible ordeal anymore and this would be a good distraction. She continued to get ready and soon heard a horn honk outside. She walked to the door, grabbed her keys, purse, and suitcase, and headed outside. Her three girlfriends were in a navy-blue jeep parked in the driveway, and they shouted and waved hello as the top was down. The sun was shining brightly in the mid-morning sky, and it was hot and sticky. She quickly locked up, loaded her stuff into