Planet Alverst: Part 3: Can earth survive the black mold?

By Doreen Bell

After Earth and the rest of the people were left behind to try to save themselves, planet Alverst was forgotten by most. If it was brought up, there was only anger and sadness.

In an underground facility on the East Coast, a lone scientist was working on a solution to kill the black mold and fungus. All the other scientists had left. He did not know where they had gone.

This is the story of his efforts and frustrations and failed experiments. He needed to find something to kill the black mold and fungus without killing the vegetation of Earth.

Other tests arrive when he discovers three children each at a different time without family or a place to stay and takes them in. He has no experience in raising children. How can he take care of them? Later he discovers a grandmother and her cat. He also learns a surprise about the people that were supposed to be on spaceship 4.

Can he survive all these and save Earth?

You will wonder if these underground facilities exist. Could the government be hiding something from us?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888321485

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Planet Alverst

Part 3: Can earth survive the black mold?

Doreen Bell

ISBN 979-8-88832-147-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-148-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Doreen Bell

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Josh Tyler

Alone

Billy Steele

Alice Patterson

Secret Rooms

James Johnson

Margaret Green and Green Grass

Communication Room

Secret Hallway 1

Billy Builds a Planter for Alice

Grandma and Marvin Move In

Hallway 2

Hallway 3

Nick Jacobs

The Maze

President Oliver Browne—Anna Shelton—Cliff Summers

New Day with Guests

Is This a Sign of Better Days?

New Beginnings for Mother Earth

About the Author

Preface

Even before Spaceship 5 was on the launch pad, NASA and the Space Center were looking for another spaceship they could upgrade to send to planet Alverst. They knew they were going to need many more ships. They had hoped that Spaceship 4 would be able to make the trip back for another load of passengers. But that hadn't happened, as very little information had been received from planet Alverst; they knew it was permanently damaged.

After Spaceship 5 had been taken over by a gang and left suddenly, nothing was getting done. Everyone was pointing fingers at each other. Most of the employees had gone home to their families. No one knew what had happened to Spaceship 5. Some said, It overshot the planet and disappeared in space. Most just didn't care; they knew they would never see any of their friends and families again, as people were dying daily along with Mother Earth. They made peace with God and clung to whatever family they had left. But this is not about planet Alverst; it is about trying to save the Earth.

Very few people knew about the underground scientific facility in Virginia. It had been built long before the problem with the black mold and fungus began. These facilities were not made public.

The scientists were not aware of the problem at first, but once they heard about it, they started working on the problem. By that time, the problem was very bad, and one by one, they did not return to the labs. Usually, the only ones that knew why they quit were each scientist and their families. It appeared that all labs had been deserted, and no one seemed to care.

Josh Tyler

Josh was forty-one years old and had been a laboratory scientist for eight years. He wasn't too happy with his job. He seemed to be the go-fetch-it guy. They always wanted him to go get something.

He hid out in the garden plant section whenever possible. He enjoyed working with plants. He had a corner that was mostly hidden from view. This is where he did all his studying. He also performed some experiments that no one knew about. He had some ideas on why the earth was dying, but no one would listen to him. He believed the sun was either dying, or something was preventing the sun's rays from reaching earth.

As days went by, he noticed that fewer and fewer people were here in the underground labs. He didn't mind that. Although he could not understand this, it meant he didn't have to hide out as much.

He started asking where each person he knew was. Had they been transferred? They would say things like, He went to buy tickets on a spacecraft, or I think she was transferred to NASA or transferred to the space academy lab, or I don't know.

He asked when their replacements were due to come in. No one could answer that question. No one seemed to care. He didn't care either; he was just a curious person.

He then asks if they were closing this facility down. No one knew that answer either.

At first, he was worried about his job, but his paychecks were still coming into his checking account. He guessed they would let him know something soon.

Alone

Then there was no one there except him. That was scary at first, but then he started trying to do some of his experiments. This required the use of a computer that could handle more information than his little computer could handle.

He tried to use some of the larger computers, but his password wouldn't work. So he searched the desks of everyone that did work there. He knew even if he found the password of someone, the chances of it still working were one in a million. He kept searching. He searched for several days, always listening for the sound of someone using the elevator to return to their job. He knew if he were caught, it could mean the loss of his job or even jail time.

He had just about given up when he ran across a book with instructions for setting a new password for an employee that had been promoted. He thought, I guess I was promoted to a new position. I need a new password. This made him laugh. There were so many things wrong with that idea.

He thought about it for several days. He put all the instructions down on paper. There were things he needed to know before he could even try. The one he couldn't figure out was the title of his position. The book stated that the person entering the request must be someone with the proper title, but the book didn't name that position. He also needed the codes for the position of the person entering the information, and the proper code for the position of the person promoted. There must also be a second person of authorized rank to approve the new person.

The last and most important thing the book told him was that five incorrect tries and the computer system would shut down until restarted by someone in the president's office. That would be a problem, as he knew that office was shut down when the president was killed. Boy, did he need a computer hacker. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Why hadn't he paid more attention to things going on in the office? Why didn't he know the position of some of the people that worked within his own office? He had been so stupid, hiding out when he could have gotten to know some of his colleges.

He had to start searching again. He had seen a book of position codes somewhere. He wondered if that would have enough information to help him. At one point, he wondered if all this was for naught. Any day now, they would transfer someone in to run the lab or transfer him to another office. He seemed to be wasting valuable time.

He decided to take his daily walk. He smiled at daily walk. He didn't go every day, only once in a while. It was too much trouble to put on all the protective gear that they were required to wear when leaving the lab building. He took the elevator to the ground floor and wondered how long the elevators would continue working. He hadn't seen the guard on duty for several weeks.

It was so depressing outside. Everything was brown and gray. Today he walked several blocks, getting more depressed every step. There just wasn't anything or anyone to see.

Billy Steele

As he started to turn to go back, he saw a young boy trying to make something work. He watched for several minutes as the boy kept slapping a tablet or computer and then trying to use it. The boy was getting more and more agitated. Josh walked over and asked if he could be of any help.

The boy looked up with tears in his eyes and said, I don't think so. This thing hasn't worked in days. I just thought if I brought it outside, it would maybe work. It didn't help. I just need it to work so badly.

Josh asked, Maybe your mom or dad will get you a new one.

The boy said, My mom is dead, and my dad left, saying he was going to get tickets for that spacecraft ride. He never came back. I knew he just wanted to be rid of me, but I didn't think he could be so cruel.

Josh asked, I'm sure he doesn't mean to be cruel. How long has he been gone?

The boy said, About three weeks.

Josh really felt sorry for this boy. He seemed like a good kid. He asked him, Do you have any other family you can live with?

The boy said, No, they have all died. At least, that's what my dad said. That's why he said he was going to get tickets for that space ride. He said we could get a new start.

Josh had an idea. He asked him, What is your name?

The boy said, My name is Billy Steele. Why do you ask?

Josh smiled and said, Mostly, I just like to know who I am talking to. How much do you know about computers? Looks like you had been taking that one apart.

Billy said, Normally, I can figure out what is wrong with one, but mostly, I like hacking. Though my mom said she will beat me if I ever do it again. A couple of tears ran down his cheeks.

Josh asked, So you like to hack?

Billy looked at Josh with a frightened look. I shouldn't have told you that. I haven't hacked since my mom caught me about a year ago. Are you FBI or something?

Josh said, No, I'm just a lab tech that's in need of help with his computer. Would you like to help me?

Billy asked, I won't get into any trouble, will I?

Josh said, No, but you would be doing me a big favor, if you just try to help me. I have a little money I can give you for your troubles.

Billy laughed and asked, Man, where have you been? Money is no good. There are no stores anymore. You can't even buy drugs with money. The only way to get things is with having something to trade. That is why I was trying to get this thing to work. So I can trade it for something to eat. I haven't eaten in two days.

Josh said, Boy, are we in luck. You help me, and I can give you something to eat. How does that sound?

Billy said, You have yourself a deal.

Josh said, I guess I better tell you a little more before you say yes. I work in an underground lab. You have to take an elevator to get there. Normally, you need a pass to get into the elevator. But the guard seems to have quit the job, and there hasn't been a replacement. Are you willing to take the chance he is still gone? I can get you a pass after you get to my office.

Billy said, You just don't understand how hungry I am. Yes, I will go with you.

Josh thought, Am I crazy? Will this work? Can he actually help me? How much more trouble will I be in if I get caught? Oh well, what the heck. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Okay, let's do it. Come with me.

When they got to the building, Josh went ahead and checked to see if the guard was back, but he was still gone. They went down to the second level, and Josh looked to see if anyone was around. Everyone was gone.

Now he had to break the news to Billy, and he wondered how he was going to take it. He said, This is where we have to shower and change clothes before we can go any further.

Billy said, I don't have a change of clothes. I better go back.

Josh laughed and said, That doesn't matter. After you shower, you go through the door in the back of the shower, and then you shower again. Then go through the door in the back of that shower, and there are disposable clothes to put on. I will be waiting for you there.

Billy said, I know I am dirty, but not that dirty.

Josh said, Oh, it's not that. It's just what is required in order to enter my labs.

After they both had showered and dressed, they took another elevator down to the fifth level. Josh took him through the dining room into the kitchen. He asked him what he wants to eat.

Billy said, Anything. A sandwich would be nice if you have the makings.

Josh handed him some homemade sliced bread and some sliced ham. He then said, I think that is the last of that bread, but we need to eat it before it becomes stale.

While they ate, Josh told him his story and how he needed to find a way into the computers so he could see if he could help the earth out of this jam she was in.

Billy asked, Why wouldn't they listen to your ideas?

Josh said, I guess they think you have to be old to have any good ideas.

Billy said, Okay, let's see how smart they are.

They went down one more level to the labs, where Josh used his badge to get in. And while he was closing the door, Billy sneaked in under Josh's arm.

While Billy was trying his hand at hacking, Josh started hunting for more of those secret how-to books. Sometimes he would hear Billy say something, and he knew he had not succeeded in whatever he had tried. Josh knew this was a long shot, but he sort of liked having Billy around.

By the end of the day, they had not accomplished much. Billy finally said, I better go home now.

Josh asked, What have you got to go home to?

Nothing, but I can't stay here.

Josh said, Why can't you stay here? I have two bedrooms, and you are welcome to use one of them.

They took a couple of sandwiches and a soft drink to Josh's apartment on the fifth level. They watched a movie as they ate. Afterward, they went to bed, where both fell asleep immediately.

* * * * *

The next morning, as they were eating breakfast, Billy asked Josh, What are these forms you are trying to fill out? Maybe if I knew what information you are looking for, I can help you find it.

Josh showed him the book on how to assign a new password to a promoted person.

Billy said, First we need to look at the doors of all the head employees and get their names and titles. That will get us a starting point.

That book took some time to find, as it was labeled List of Head Offices. Nothing even resembling office personnel; Josh had thought it was just a list of office rooms.

They wrote them down and compared them to titles that could be assigned a new password. This gave them the titles and codes. Not of those employees. Josh said, But that doesn't give us their names or password.

No, it doesn't. But it gives a clue to where I should be looking.

Josh said, I don't understand.

That's because you're not a hacker.

Josh asked, How old are you anyway?

Almost fourteen.

They again worked through the day. Josh kept hunting through all the offices one at a time, through all the closets and every desk drawer. Some were locked, but he found a pry tool that he used to get most of them open. He knew that was another problem that he could be punished for, but he was in too deep for it to matter. He found some secrets in those desk drawers that he might use as blackmail to help him a little, but not enough for what he had done since everyone had left. In a couple of closets, he saw things that caused him to wonder just what went on in that office.

Every once in a while, Billy would call him with a question or something to look for.

He kept going back to his lab to check on his experiments. Some seemed to be working, but it was too soon to be sure; he just needed some more information to know where to go from here. Under