First Fruits



  First Fruits

  by

  C L Miller

  Author of

  “Pivotals”

  and

  “A Long Way From Home:

  A Trucker’s Life Through A Woman’s Eye”

  Cover art:

  Shivkant Pandey

  [email protected]

  Technical and moral support:

  H I Miller

  PUBLISHED BY: Copyright © 2015 by CL Miller    

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.  

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.  

 

   

 

  "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

  Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV)

  Prologue

  "Whoa! Did you see that?"

  "Yeah."

  "I'm calling down."

  "Mission Control. Hello, Mac. Yes, we saw it."

  "What are you thinking?"

  "Same as you, I betcha."

  "Good morning, sir ... Yes, sir ... Our guys had a sensor reading and a visual on an anomaly…We have run all the probables and we are left with only one possible ... Yes, sir, an event horizon ... Yes, sir, that is the word we used too."

  "Okay, people, listen up. At 0300 Jack Kincaid and Clarence MacNaughton saw and recorded an anomaly. We have analyzed it and have eliminated all the known causes. The guys up there and our people down here are convinced it is an event horizon. The current location is thirty thousand kilometers beyond the moon's orbit. When it was detected it was directly behind the moon. It has not moved, nor is it expanding ... Well, I'm sure you are aware of the possibilities."

  "So, what are we doing?"

  "At this exact moment, nothing. We are readying a probe that will be launched on our next pass. We want to get a closer visual before we send out the probe."

  "How are Jack and Mac handling this?"

  "They are concerned, but holding steady. We are on standby to abort the mission and return them to Earth."

  "The probe readings are in. They verify our earlier suspicion that it is a wormhole and not a black hole. We are sending a second probe through."

  "Okay, people, the second probe readings have been received and analyzed. We have confirmed that the anomaly is indeed a wormhole. What you are about to hear will ... Well, I will just share what we have seen."

  "Another planet?"

  "Yes, Madame President. It is smaller than Earth, but appears to have a similar atmosphere. There was abundant vegetation, but no sign of any civilization. Unfortunately the probe malfunctioned and we got very little additional data."

  "Can you send another probe?"

  "Actually, ma'am, this was the third. All have come back with identical reports."

  "So, now what?"

  "We are working on that."

  "Keep me posted."

  "Absolutely!"

  "And give my love to Rachel and the girls."

  "I will. Thank you, ma'am."

  Personal Journal

  July 24, 2022

  It's been eight weeks since Jack and Mac saw the anomaly. We have sent through three probes, all of which have returned with the same -- if insufficient -- data. On the plus side, we now know it is a wormhole and not a black hole. Our first fears have been alleviated, but curiosity is rampant.

  So far we have managed to keep this inside our walls, but we need to do something more assertive and I don't think that will be kept secret very long.

  I have talked this over with Rachel and she agrees with me. Now I just need to convince the others."

  First Fruits

  "David, come in. Thank you for joining us. I will be bringing all of you up to speed in the next few minutes. Some of you already know some of this information, but very few know it all, so please bear with me. I will take questions when I am finished.

  "As you know, we have been investigating what we have termed as a wormhole that appeared eight weeks ago. It was first seen by our team on the international space station and by the people in Mission Control. Since its discovery, we have sent in three separate probes. All have returned with the same data, but none has brought back enough information for us to get a clear picture of what is ... well, whatever we are dealing with.

  "What we do know is this: The planet resembles Earth, but is smaller. Vegetation is abundant but we have seen no signs of life, nor any indication of past inhabitants. The atmosphere appears to support human life.

  "Okay, settle down. I know what you are all thinking, and believe me it is being seriously discussed. However -- once again -- the information provided by the probes is not sufficient enough for us to attempt any exploration. At this time we do not feel that a team should be sent. For one thing, we have no idea if they would survive the journey. Even if they did, we might not be able to find them, much less retrieve. We just don't feel comfortable taking that step at this stage."

  "Yes, David?"

  "I will go."

  "Pardon me?"

  "I said, I will go. I'm prepared to take the risk. If I'm lost, then you will have a lot of questions answered. If I return, there will be far more answers."

  "David ... this is hardly the time or place to begin this discussion."

  "Sure it is. You just said you don't want to risk a team. We are all wondering what is on that planet. Why not find out?"

  "Why you?"

  "Why not?"

  Personal journal

  July 30, 2022

  I am surprised that it only took a few days -- but thousands of words -- to convince them to let me go.

  I am trying to figure this out myself. It's like the planet is calling my name. I feel no fear -- well, maybe a little! -- but mostly I am calm.

  Last night Rachel woke me before dawn with tears on her cheeks. She told me she'd had a dream. She said God spoke to her and said "Let him go. I am in control. I will be with him every step of the way." She said that God spoke these words in the middle of a large garden, and she felt completely at peace.

  I wrapped my beautiful wife in my arms and held her very close. I told her I'd just had the same dream, with the same words directed at me.

  "David, you have flown just about every aircraft at our disposal. This one has a few hiccups that will set it apart, but I know you can handle it. We have a simulator here for you to practice with, and the real thing will launch from the space station. Our story is that you are going up to perform some extra tests. Other than your family and some very trusted friends, we'd like you to stay with that version. No point in starting rumors until we have facts."

  "I understand, sir. I have shared only with my wife and my pastor the exact nature of my mission. Everyone else thinks it is a routine event."

  "Very good. And how is Rachel taking all of this?"

  "She's behind me one hundred percent, sir.”

  "Excellent!"

  "My friends, our good brother David is setting
out on a mission that will take him to the international space station. Please join me in prayer for his safety.

  'Heavenly Father, we ask your protection of our friend David as he travels. We know he is one of Yours and You will guide and protect him. We ask that You give peace to his family in his absence, and that they are reunited soon. We know You have a special plan and that David's willingness to be obedient is a joy to Your heart, as it is to ours. Thank You for what You are about to do in David's life. In Jesus Name, I pray.' And the congregation said Amen."

  "AMEN!"

  "Pastor, may we speak with you?"

  “Come in, come in."

  "There is something about this that I -- we -- want you to know ..."

  "Do you mean the dream?"

  "Dream? You mean, you had one also?"

  "Yes, my friend. Go in peace. The Lord is with you!"

  Personal journal

  August 10, 2022

  After several weeks on the simulator, I was finally scheduled on a flight to the space station. The funniest part was packing for the trip. What does one take when exploring an uncharted planet in an unknown area of the Universe? A toothbrush? Ritz crackers? A Swiss Army knife? My Bible, of course.

  All joking aside, the serious-ness of my mission isn't lost on me. I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous, but I'm also calm and determined to see this through.

  Deep down inside, I'm bursting with curiosity over this new planet. I don't know what I will find, but I can't help but wonder if I am about to discover the solution to so many of our woes on Earth. Will it give us a chance to start all over? Have we learned our lessons about war and pollution and crime and greed? Will my two children grow up in a different atmosphere of love and tolerance?

  And way deep down and inside my soul, I somehow think I have been chosen to make this journey. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and ask, "Why me?" Occasionally I get caught up in trying to explain to myself what prompted me to volunteer that day. It was almost as if I wasn't doing the talking, yet I felt completely in agreement with what I said.

  I feel like I am about to be part of something very important.

  Mission Log

  August 15, 2022

  I have now been transported to the International Space Station. The crew has been reduced to a minimum to aid in keeping my mission under wraps. My shuttle is being readied and my launch is scheduled for morning.

  The information from the probes indicate that the wormhole is approximately ten million kilometers in length, so my trip could take anywhere from six minutes to six months, although the estimate -- based on the probes -- is approximately six days.

  The only concern is the lack of information from the probes. We have spent weeks analyzing their data. All three probes agree with each other in the aspect of telling us very little. They all malfunctioned at the same point in their journey.

  Each entered the planet's atmosphere at one hundred kilometers from the surface. They made five orbits in a steadily degrading altitude, and took photos and air samples. The information was recorded and we could translate it.

  The only thing left unclear was how far they traveled. We don't know if this planet is just beyond Pluto or in a "galaxy, far far away". It's quite possible that we won't have access if the wormhole collapses.

  Personal Journal

  August 15, 2022

  Yes, if the wormhole collapses, we won't have access to the planet. And if this occurs while I am there . . . .

  I spent a long time with Rachel last evening. For the first time in all this she voiced a concern. She said she has a feeling that my journey is going to be the advent of a major change, and somehow it will affect us directly. I pointed out the high likelihood of that being the case, given the circumstances -- trying to lighten her mood -- but she just shook her head.

  "That's not what I mean, darling. It's something else. I feel like we need to be prepared for a big change. Not necessarily a bad one. Just huge."

  Mission Log

  August 16, 2022

  I have now switched over to voice recording. I will be describing what I see and encounter.

  This log will be my official and personal experiences until I return to Earth.

  We are five minutes from launch. I can see the event horizon clearly. Mac and Jack say it’s the closest it's been since it was discovered. It's like an open door, waiting for me to cross the threshold.

  If this is the last communication you receive, please tell my wife and children that I was thinking of them.

  T-minus five minutes. The portal seems to be getting bigger and closer by the moment.

  T-minus one. I can see into the worm hole. It is extraordinary. It looks like a well-lit corridor.

  I am at peace.

  Mission Log

  Continuing

  My passage is smoother than I expected. There are lights, but not glaring or flashing. It's as if they are in place just for my vision.

  The walls are opaque, and I feel like I could see through them if I tried, but I don't feel the need.

  It is very quiet in here. And yet, somehow, it seems almost alive.

  If this will be our journey to the other planet, it will be safe. I'm not sure how I know that, but I'm absolutely certain.

  I'm losing track of time. It seems like I just left the space station, and yet I feel I have already traveled a great distance. On the other hand, if I didn't see the lights moving past me, I'd think I was standing still. It's somewhat disorienting -- but I'm still not frightened.

  My curiosity is growing over the nature of the wormhole itself ---

  I see light! Like the kind one always sees at the end of a tunnel. But, if I am going to hit the planet's atmosphere at one hundred kilometers, I should be in darkness when I emerge. Something has changed . . . .

  I'm barely one hundred meters from the surface! ... I can see what looks like a clearing directly ahead ... This is gonna be a bumpy landing...

  Whoa! Hold steady little ship...

  Day 1

  Planet

  The shuttle is damaged, but not beyond repair. The rear landing struts took the brunt of the impact and are bent. I will need to remove them before I depart, but I don't see it as an issue because my horizontal and vertical thrusters seem to be fully operational.

  When I emerged from the worm hole I was much closer to the surface than we'd been given to expect. Fortunately I had a bit of warning and was able to adjust my speed and incline. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save my struts...

  I sustained some personal damage. Either I bounced into something hard or it hit me, and I'm bleeding from a small cut on my forehead. I feel slightly dizzy, but other than that I have no injuries.

  The probes were correct. The outside air is completely breathable. The temperature is warm -- I'd say about twenty-four degrees Celsius. There is a sun or bright star in the sky, but it appears to be setting, so this must be the afternoon of the planet's day.

  I am in what appears to be a large meadow. It is ringed by trees and bushes. There are two large trees in the middle of the meadow, hanging heavy with a fruit I don't recognize. It as if they were planted in the location on purpose.

  I see no sign of animal life, but I can hear birds in the trees. I'm not an ornithologist, but I can say I've never heard this -- for lack of a better word -- 'song' before. It's wonderfully melodious and almost sounds like it has been choreographed.

  I'm still a bit shaky so I will wait until I feel stronger, then will begin to explore. In any event, the day's light is beginning to fade. I'm not sure how long the darkness will last so I will wait for morning to venture further from my ship.

  I feel drawn to the fruit trees. I think I will rest under one of them. I can't discern the type of fruit -- or in this case fruits -- it bears. There seems to be a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors -- and no doubt flavors -- hanging from the branches.

  One piece dropped into my lap just as I sat down. I am hungr
y and I think this is safe. It's as if the tree was waiting for me...

  Delicious barely describes the fruit. It is sweet like the best of apples, but the flesh is tender like a pear. There is a peel, but it is the same texture as the flesh. The closest taste comparison is the delicious red grapes I enjoy back on earth.

  What's also odd is that I feel full, as if I'd eaten a good meal. I'm actually feeling sleepy. I should return to the ship for the --

  Suddenly this has taken a turn. A very large animal that resembles a lion has just entered the meadow. My wound is still bleeding and the animal may have caught the scent ... I am trying to hold very still ... The animal is approaching ... The large mouth is opening ... The tongue is out ...

  The lion just licked my wound ... and then again ... I am no longer fearful for my life ... It has lain down next to me ... It is offering itself as warmth against the evening chill ... I feel as safe as I do in my own bed...

  I woke with the sun. I was laying on the lion, cuddling it like a soft pillow. The lion stirred when I did, then stretched. It looked at me quizzically for a moment, as if assessing my condition. Apparently satisfied, it flicked its long tail and ambled off into the woods. I had to stifle my inclination to call out "Thank you!"

  Day 2

  Planet

  My first task was to make the repairs on my shuttle. It was a good thing that I was able to get the nose up in time, or I might not even be recording this. Upon a thorough investigation, I discovered that the rear horizontal thrusters had gotten slightly damaged during the landing. Being hammered by the rear struts has cut them back to about half power. At least the front thrusters are operating properly.