Pneumasites 2: Pneumasites, #2

By Myron Baughman

Ben Benard continues his quest to rid the world of Pneumasites in his adventurous travels for the "Great Cause" in this second exciting volume. After facing considerable foes that are set against him and the world, Ben finds the answer to the big question of "why"  causing  his adventures to come to a close in a remarkable way that will leave you thinking.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Myron Baughman
• Release date: Jan 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223199908

Myron Baughman

Dr. Baughman is a graduate of Bob Jones University, with a B.S. in Education. He graduated from the International Bible Seminary with a Th.M. He graduated with honors from the Andersonville Theological Seminary with a D. Min. Dr. Baughman lives with his wife, Denise in Georgia and has four children. 

Book preview

By

Dr. Myron Baughman

The Adventures of Ben Benard

The Best in Science Fiction

The Seminary Press

Dedicated to my loving wife Denise

The Seminary Press

Table of Contents

To Capture the Enemy

Hunting the Devil

War in Heaven

Testing Reality

Standing at the Threshold

Lost

Escaping Forward

Living in the Past

Stomping out Evil

In Enemy Hands.

You Can Never Go Home Again

The Challenge

Becoming Missionaries

Converting the World

Morbus

Igor3

Woodrow Wilson

18. OLAM EPOCH

19. The Great Quest of the Poneros 

20.  Kakon

21.  Umbra

22.  The Adventure Club

23.  Wolf!

24.  The Poisoning of a Nation

25.  The Battle of Battles

Chapter One

To Capture the Enemy

Everyone needs to take out the trash once in a while.

TIME TO RISE AND SHINE! I had no idea of what dangerous adventures awaited that day for me, Ben Benard, the Warrior Saint. What would be explored or what battles would be fought that day?  It was Friday and there were things to do. I took my morning shower, got dressed and went down stairs to the breakfast room of the science facility called the Oph Nesor. The three scientists from Lab B were there. Lab A had already eaten and probably went to their respective research areas with Dr. Markus. We usually sat at the breakfast table and discussed the stories of our past adventures. These three men at the table, I had only heard about since we ate in shifts and worked in different areas. I sat down at the table and Eric, the cook-waiter brought out a full plate of breakfast delights for me.

Good Morning. Let me introduce myself. I am Ben Benard from the Federation of American States. I’ve been assisting Dr. Markus with some of his projects.

Everyone looked up from their meals with a look of surprise and smiled a greeting.

Indeed, the renowned Dr. Ben Benard, world famous for doing the impossible! It is indeed an honor to be sitting here with you at the same table. I am Dr. Ray Smythe. I work with advanced studies in quantum physics, string theory and astrodynamics.

Well, it is nice meeting you Dr. Smythe. All of that is quite over my head, but I appreciate you telling me about it. Maybe, you can fill me in on some of the exciting details of it all someday.

Yes, and I am Dr. Emory Lee Dickson, professor of advanced electronics and hyper-computer technology at the University of Bonn, of the Euro-Union. I am the newest member of the team. It is very nice to meet you, sir. I’m originally from the states also.

It is my honor to meet with such renowned men such as all of you. I replied to all of them with a smile.

I’m Dr. Lerner Cedrick, of both Cambridge and Oxford. I am a biologist as well as a chemist. I specialize, as of late it seems, in parasitology. I was called by Dr. Markus to his lab facility here in Jerusalem to see what I could find out about what has been called Pneumasites. That term seems to be very controversial in the academic and medical world, since there are quite a few of my colleges who deny their very existence.

Oh, Dr. Cedrick, that sounds like a very interesting topic. I have done a few case studies on those infected by the parasites. I found that my research was rejected, and actually ridiculed by some. I hope your efforts in that regard turn out much better than mine.

Yes, I did read your report in the Science Journal a while back. I am afraid it was not very well received. I have been chosen to do the research here on that very subject. My assistant, Dr. Leroy Jones of Johns Hopkins, who is not here at this table, has been very helpful to the project. He is quite a learned man.

How is Dr. Markus? We have not him seen in since yesterday morning. He usually confers with us at least once a day. Dr. Dickson said.

Well, I don’t know. I have not seen him today yet either. It is early though. I do believe he’s in lab A at the present. I stated as I finished my breakfast. I’m going there now, so if you will excuse me, I should be going, since he’s expecting me. It was very nice meeting all of you. Thank you. I said and left the table. They went back to their previous conversations about things I did not understand in the least. When I approached the door to Lab A, Dr. Markus and his little group of researchers came rushing out and up the steps that lead to the roof.

What’s going on? I yelled.

We may be attacked! We have to secure the roof. Dr. Markus yelled back. I hurried up to the roof after them. When we got there, the sky over Jerusalem looked about the same as before. The star of the Coming of the Son of man was still there, unmoved. Closer just at cloud level, we could see a strange darkening cloud. I grabbed the pair of binoculars that was in the observatory cabinet to the left of Dr. Markus’ workstation, and looked up. Dr. Bronson had observed the unusual cloud formation above Jerusalem just a few minutes before.

It’s not a cloud! Dr. Bronson exclaimed looking at the computer screen that displayed the sky.

I raised the binoculars to my eyes again and observed a frightening scene. Gathering in the sky just above us was a monstrous herd of Pneumasites, both large and small, but that was not the worst of it. Hovering just below them was a very dark figure of a floating man clothed in a black flowing robe with a scythe in his right hand, and to the left of him was what looked like a large red flying dragon. I almost dropped my binoculars when I saw that!

I’m getting pictures of this! What a freak show! Dr. Kalvin exclaimed as he had the computer take still photos of the sight. I can’t believe it.

This is story book caliber, if you ask me! Dr. Markus exclaimed. This has to be a holographic hoax or something. This stuff just cannot be real. Again, nothing shows on the computer sensors, just a visual. The Gog have gotten down right good at their deceptions.

Whether it is or is not, we need to bring what we can of the equipment down stairs, temporarily until we see what this is all about. Dr. Kalvin explained. If they attack us, we need our equipment to remain undamaged.

It makes sense that if this is indeed the end of our age, and our time is coming to a close, that the Devil and the powers of wickedness would be openly active, Dr. Erdmann explained.

I don’t see things theologically, Dr. Markus stated. I’m telling you that those can’t be real! I refuse to be deceived!

We don’t have time to argue. They are coming our way now! We do not have time to move our equipment. We better get below in a hurry! Dr. Bronson exclaimed.

Everyone hurried down the steps, and Ivan and Wilfred secured the door. Just outside the closed doors, many fluttering wings could be heard and the sound of things being broken and thrown down. We all hurried down to lab A and watched the events on the roof cameras. It was a frightening event. Some of those creatures came close to the cameras and displayed sharp teeth in a big gaping mouth.

Real or not, those things are ugly! Dr. Markus said. So far they haven’t touched the observatory. Maybe we can scare them away. They aren’t holographs if they can destroy things.

I don’t think that there’s any scaring away of those things. Dr. Cedric stated.

Is there a way I can say something to them through an outdoor speaker? I asked Dr. Markus.

Well, there is an intercom. He replied.

Let me say something over it. I said. We walked over to Dr. Markus’s workstation and there was an intercom on his desk. I pressed the speak button and turned the volume all the way up.

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field, upon thy belly shall thou go, and dust shall thou eat all the days of thy life. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.

Outside we could see the flying creatures stop and listen, wide eyed and tongues dangling out. Suddenly, they were gone.

Its good thing that I have a photographic memory, I said. I’ve used that technique before.

They are gone, but for how long? Dr. Smythe asked.

‘It may be not long. They may be back, with reinforcements." I said.

Well, we need to do something. We may not survive an all-out attack. Dr. Markus stated.

Oh look there. That big red serpent is now sitting on the roof! There are a million bugs flying around it. Dr. Bronson said.

It is an interesting species that looks real. Yes! I have never seen anything like that one before. It really does not look like a dinosaur, and it flies! We need to get Dr. Cedrick here to see what he thinks of this! Dr. Markus said in excitement.

He’s viewing it on the lab B cameras, Dr. Kalvin stated. He has not said anything yet on the intercom about it.

That is a previously unknown species, Dr. Cedrick said over the intercom. Maybe we could capture it for study.

Hmm, maybe, Dr. Markus said thoughtfully.

Are you crazy?! That’s the Devil that you are looking at! Dr. Erdmann stated. You are going to capture the Devil? You all have lost your minds!

Come now, really. The Devil? Dr. Bronson said. Couldn’t it just be an animal, and not the Devil? We have too many theologians here.

Hmm, so, this is the one that has cursed the earth with sin and death, according to what I’ve read. Yes, we are going to do something about him, since he has come to pay us a visit. Dr. Markus said. Capture him, we must!

Oh yeah, right. Capture the Devil. Now that does not seem to work well in my mind. What a bunch of far out lunatics! Every one of you needs a vacation! Like what would you do with him if you could capture him? I mean, what could contain him? This is beyond science fiction, friends! Its insanity. I mean, really. I stated as if I could bring sanity back to the room. I believe in God, and there must be a Devil as given in the Bible, but he isn’t sitting on our roof, okay? That thing has to be something else!

Kalvin input the coordinates for Planet Makrinos, now. We are going to take that thing on our roof there, and dump it. Maybe we will be rid of it forever. Dr. Markus said.

Wow, what a plan! I said, as I began doubting the sanity of everyone in the room. That is pitiful.

Ready for launch, Ivan reported from the generator room.  

Launching now. Dr. Kalvin stated as the turbo-generators kicked in. The room seemed to swirl around and I approached blacking out, but did not. Maybe I was getting used to it.

Okay, we are there or here at Makrinos. Kalvin announced. We all looked at the computer screen and saw that the red serpent was still sitting on the roof. Suddenly it disappeared.

Very funny, a strange man said as he walked through the closed lab door. Everyone was speechless. He was dressed in a fine quality black suit and ties, wore a short, dark chin beard with a small mustache. He smoked a long, thin cigarette. So, you think you can pull a fast one on me? He said while blowing smoke in Dr. Markus’ face. Now, that shows you have quite a sense of humor. I enjoy a good laugh now and then, and I will remember this one as a good effort. It rather reminds me of the trick the Prince of Egypt, son of King Tut, tried to pull on me once. After he thought, he was selling his soul to me, which he did not really need to do since he was a reprobate of the Almighty and lost anyway, he tried to put an impostor in his place. He thought that I would take him instead of himself. Oh well, I just took both of them. Hey, two for the price of one seemed like a good deal to me at the time.

Well, Sir, you need to take a good look around outside. There is a fresh new world out there that you can have all to yourself. You do not need earth. This place is much improved. Come on, let’s step outside and you will see. Dr. Markus said as he walked out of the lab and proceeded to the front door. 

We all watched what was going on by the cameras mounted on the walls at the roof level. Outside was a beautiful day. Part of the sky was a pretty blue with white fluffy clouds, while the other part was dark.

See, you couldn’t ask for better. Just look around, and see for yourself. Dr. Markus said pointing around. The strange man looked around, and did seem interested. He walked out onto the green grassy field on which we had landed.

And are there people here? he asked.

Well, yes and no. There are people but they are different. Dr. Markus said.

Well, one thing, I don’t have my network here. But that can change.

Just at that time a green Sir. Jose walked out of the jungle and up to Dr. Markus. See, here’s one of them now. He’s a little different, but a good specimen.

He appears to be a plant. Now that is interesting. A plant with a soul. I guess I could get used to that. Indeed. This has potential. The devil-man said and walked toward the jungle where Jose came from. Are there more of them? As he was walking away, Dr. Markus grabbed Sir. Jose’s hand and quickly brought him into the Oph Nesor.  

Launch now! Dr Markus yelled.

"Kicking in! Ivan yelled above the sound of the turbo-generators.

I got a brief view of the devil-man being surrounded by the walking plants as we disappeared off the surface of the planet. I wondered briefly what the humanoid plants would do to him.

Chapter Two

Hunting the Devil

You can never find a lost opportunity.

My head was swirling , but I remained alert through the transport back to Jerusalem. The whole place seemed different and unlike the panic and siege that was going on when we left. Dr. Markus and Dr. Bronson went up to the roof, followed by Kalvin. I decided to venture outside to see the condition of the city.

To my amazement, when I stepped out of the front door of the Oph Nesor, I could hear church bells ringing and singing in the streets. Jerusalem was in a state of celebration. As I walked through the streets, I saw that the gates of the city stood wide open. I was rather shocked to see that things were different, completely different. I had to find out what was going on. I decided to stop someone and ask. A young couple walked my way, singing cheerfully together.

Excuse me, would you be as kind as to tell me what is going on? What is the celebration all about? I asked.

You don’t know? The whole world knows! Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has just set up His kingdom here on earth. He will reign from here over the entire world, from shore to shore. There will be no more wars, and peace will finally be upon the face of the earth. Truly, it is the time of the greatest celebration ever, anywhere! Rejoice, my friend! Rejoice.

What?! This is unreal! He has actually set up His Kingdom here on earth?! But, I thought it was the end of the world, or something. Wow, this is mind boggling, indeed. I said. I stood there dumbfounded, as the young couple danced joyfully away. It put a new spring in my walk, I was so amazed and happy that the world was not about to be destroyed after all. I decided to return to the Oph Nesor and announce it to everyone. They indeed needed to know the good news.

I bounded through the front door with a big smile on my face, Hey, everyone! I have good news for you. Good news for everyone!

Dr. Cedrick was standing with Sir. Jose just inside the doorway. My remarks, though cheerful, went unheeded. Both of them were grimly serious.

Sir Jose turned to me and said, Ben, we have a problem, a big problem.

I was floored! Jose could speak again! A miracle had taken place? He was healed except for him being partly a green plant.

Whoa, you can speak! Wow that is great! What a miracle! Not only that but while we were gone, the Kingdom of Christ has been just set up on earth. Isn’t that great?

Yes, my friend, but I have a deep feeling that there’s something wrong, back home.

In Mexico? What could be wrong? Christ reigns from shore to shore.

Not Mexico. Back where I came from as I am now. The green planet. I sense something really wrong.

Could be, after all we did leave the Devil there. That may be the problem. I said.

I really am getting upset. Dr. Cedrick has helped me a lot. He really understands life, but he cannot help me with this. I must see Dr. Markus.

Let’s go up to the roof to see him and the others. I said.

"I will follow you. I have bad memories of what